asked the Minister for Agriculture if he can state the number of sucker calves which have been slaughtered and dressed in the southern counties for the British market during the month of March, 1944, and further, whether it is not more expedient to substitute the killing of old dried-up cows for such calves in order to preserve future herds.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slaughter of Calves.
It is not the practice to supply particulars of exports subsequent to August, 1939. I may say, however, that calves which are used for the dressed meat trade are mainly those which are not suitable for retention in herds and are sold for immediate slaughter. The export of old cows in the form of dressed meat is not economic.
Mr. Larkin
Is it not correct that many of these sucker calves are of quite good stock and yet it seems to be a deliberate policy to get rid of them when dried-up cows and scrub cattle could easily be substituted? Surely it should be the policy to get rid of the scrub cattle and the dried-up cows in this way and keep the sucker calves as long as there is food for them? The present policy is just as bad as when the Minister went in for killing calves years ago and selling their hides.
The Deputy should not indulge in shibboleths. There is no connection whatever between the two matters.
Mr. Larkin
So you say.
Yes, I say it, and therefore the Deputy should take notice. So far as the export of calves which are used for the dressed meat trade is concerned, no farmer in the south will sell a calf that is suitable for retention in the herd. Calves are sold only because they are not suitable for that purpose. The canning of dried-up cows and scrub cattle is a different matter altogether. It is a question of closing down for a period in order that the firms might be in a position to work full time for the rest of the year.
Mr. Larkin
One Dublin firm closed down, 170 skilled men were put out on the streets, and they are getting unemployment money. At least two or three factories were closed in Dublin, factories that might be usefully engaged in canning this stuff. These cattle are going at the rate of nine to the 100, not fit for sale. The calves I speak about are marketable calves that are sold to provide veal for the English people. Skilled men cannot get work in Dublin. All this is to save the Roscrea factory—that is the trouble.