asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware of the alarming decrease in the pig population and whether he is further aware that unless steps are taken to check the decline there will be a shortage of bacon on the home market next winter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Decrease in Pig Production.
I am aware that there has been a considerable reduction in the number of pigs available for bacon factories. I do not, however, think that the decline will be so great or will continue so long as to create a shortage of bacon for the home market in the coming winter.
Does the Minister realise that, with the existing shortage of feeding stuffs, unless producers are assured of a fair price over a period of months, they will get out of feeding pigs altogether and, if they do, we may be faced with the situation next winter in which bread is rationed, oatmeal scarce and bacon virtually unobtainable? I hear the Minister for Supplies whispering. What are his views on the subject? That there will be no shortage, I suppose. Perhaps the Minister for Agriculture would explain to the Minister for Supplies that a pig cannot be brought to birth in 24 hours, that it will take some time. Is the Minister bearing in mind the facts I have mentioned and notifying farmers who do produce pigs for sale next autumn and spring that they will get a fair price for them, and will he tell them what that price will be?
If the position is as outlined by the Deputy, that there will be rationing of bread next winter, it would be a mistake tu encourage pig production.
Does the Minister realise that, if men have to go to the bog with an inadequate supply of bread and come home in the evening to a dinner which has no bacon, so far as farmers living west of the Shannon and in the congested areas of the northern counties are concerned, they have no food whatever which would provide them with the energy requisite to carry on their job? If you deprive the small farmers of bacon and bread, you will reduce, production by the small farmers because they will not be able to work.
It would be worse if the pig deprived the people of bread.
Surely the Minister realises the significance of bacon in the diet of the rural community. Does the Minister appreciate the importance of bacon in the diet of people living in the congested districts? I do not believe he does.