asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the scale of prices fixed by the British Ministry of Food for best quality dressed beef and lamb exported from Eire is inadequate to permit firms engaged in this trade to compete with current prices ruling in fairs and markets; that this has resulted in a substantial decline in the export trade of dressed meat; and if he will state whether it is the present policy of his Department to encourage the dressed meat trade, and, if so, what efforts have been made to secure a more favourable scale of prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dressed Meat Trade Prices.
I am aware that the prices fixed by the British Ministry of Food for dressed beef and lamb exported from this country do not offer a sufficient inducement to firms engaged in the trade and that this position has resulted in a substantial decline in dressed meat exports. It is the policy of my Department to encourage the dressed meat trade, but I consider that, in view of the British Ministry's attitude in regard to fat stock prices, no useful purpose would be served by approaching them for an increase in prices for our dressed meat exports, which are related to the prices fixed for our fat stock.
There is an impression among people engaged in the export trade that the policy of the Government with regard to securing a favourable export price is influenced by the cost of living at home. Will the Minister categorically deny-that?
Was I not categoric enough yesterday? The Government will, the Deputy may rest assured, get the best possible prices for anything they export.