asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that cattle which realise £25 apiece in Dublin market are being purchased for £19 in fairs down the country, and whether in order to stop this exploitation of small stock owners he will institute a scheme for the purchase of fat cattle in rural areas similar to that operated by the Pigs Board last winter for the marketing of surplus fat pigs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fat Cattle Purchases.
I am satisfied that for the past eight weeks or more by far the greater number of the cattle sent to Dublin market for export came direct from producers' farms and that producers received the full value of their animals. As the Deputy is probably aware, the restrictions on the movement of cattle for export have been removed. The consequent resumption of trade should ensure that stock owners will be able to sell their cattle at their full market value. In these circumstances, I do not propose instituting a scheme of the nature suggested.
I believe the new agreement has made such a scheme unnecessary.
Does the resumption of export of stores throw the Dublin cattle market open to all cattle?
From the beginning of next week there will be no restriction in the case of the Dublin cattle market.