asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that, since the reintroduction of the sales quota, certain bacon curers are receiving supplies of pigs substantially in excess of the amount such quota can absorb, and that, in view of the fact that tank-cured bacon cannot be held for a long time unless cold stored, and the consideration of financing quantities of bacon in cold store, bacon curers so placed are reluctant to purchase pigs substantially in excess of their requirements under the Order; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to ensure that pig producers' interests will be safeguarded in factory areas where those surpluses are occurring.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bacon Curers' Sales Quota.
Bacon sales quotas have not been in operation since October last. Acting under the authority of the Emergency Powers (No. 267) Order, 1943, the Pigs and Bacon Commission introduced last month a scheme designed to secure, in the interests of consumers, the equitable distribution of available bacon supplies through wholesalers and retailers. Presumably it is to this scheme that the Deputy refers. I am not aware that the scheme has resulted in reluctance on the part of curers to purchase pigs, or that there has been any difficulty in disposing of the limited supplies of pigs available.
Is the Minister not aware that certain factories have large quantities of bacon in their stores which they will not be allowed to sell?
They will.
I know of factories which have large quantities of bacon and they will not be allowed to sell.
They will be allowed to sell on the direction of the Pigs and Bacon Commission. The Deputy must realise that at least one very large curer went out of business and his customers must be looked after. The Pigs and Bacon Commission have taken it on themselves to try to arrange that the customers of that factory and others will be supplied by those who have a surplus of bacon.
Does the Minister not admit that that is bound to react on the production of pigs?
I do not think so, because they can get rid of all their bacon.
Does he not admit that the curer in that position, with substantial quantities of bacon in cold store, will not be too keen on the purchase of pigs?
Every curer who gets in touch with the Pigs and Bacon Commission will get permission to sell his bacon, perhaps not to his own customers, but at the regulated price.
And he has not to put bacon in cold store?
There may be a slight carry-over at the end of the month, but it is very small.
Does the Minister recognise that if a curer in County Mayo has a surplus of bacon and knows that if he applies to the Pigs and Bacon Commission he will be required to sell it at the fixed price to a retailer in County Waterford or County Kerry——
Possibly.
——he will not be very anxious to get that class of trade, and that what he does is to sit back and let the pigs go home from Swinford Market until they become too heavy? He can then buy them for less money than would otherwise be the case. Would the Minister consider leaving the distribution of bacon to the bacon factories depending upon the bacon wholesalers to orient the bacon ultimately where the need is most acute? If he continues to dam bacon up in the western factories, does he not agree that what will happen is that the price of pigs will fall in the West of Ireland? Does he consider that a desirable result?
I do not, but I think the Deputy will agree that some attempt should be made to see that there is an equitable distribution of bacon, if it is possible, without doing any injury to the pig trade.
Was there not a fairly equitable distribution of bacon before the reimposition of this Order? Everybody was able to get a rasher, but since this Order was put into force half the people cannot get any bacon at all.
I do not think there is much difficulty in getting bacon now.
The people were able to get it before this Order came into force.
The curers were then working a voluntary scheme, which broke down.
Is the Minister not aware that a number of curers are not satisfied with the present regulation and does he not realise that, if they are dissatisfied with the regulation, they will be unlikely to co-operate?
I have not heard directly that the curers are dissatisfied.
Could the Minister not arrange a voluntary scheme like that which the millers have?
Will the Minister look into the point again?
Certainly.