asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that as a result of the new scale of prices operating from the 2nd March for British farmers, the price of Irish fat cattle is now approximately 19/- per cwt. less than the price of British cattle, and 14/- per cwt. less than fat cattle of Irish origin two months or more in Great Britain, and that this wide differentiation in price will have a detrimental effect on our production of fat cattle for export; and if he will state whether he has made any representations to the British Ministry of Food or Ministry of Agriculture with a view to securing such adjustment as will bring prices of Irish fat cattle into closer alignment with British prices; and, if so, will he state the result of such representations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Fat Cattle.
The price now paid by the British Ministry of Food for first quality fat cattle imported into Great Britain from this country for immediate slaughter is approximately 14/- per cwt., live weight, less than that paid for cattle of corresponding quality bred in Great Britain, and 10/- per cwt. less than that of imported cattle fed in Great Britain for two months or more. Repeated efforts have been made to have prices for Irish fat stock placed on a more favourable basis, but without success.
Will the Minister say how he arrived at a figure of 14/-? Is not the price of British fat cattle 76/- and the price of the Irish fat cattle approximately 57/-, a difference of 19/-? Is not the price of fat cattle in England to-day 76/-?
70/-.
Excuse me, it is 76/-.
Excuse me, it is 70/- for a fat beast killing 54 per cent.