asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that, in fixing the prices of poultry, no distinction is made between pullets and old hens, and that, as a consequence, the number of settings have been reduced, which will result in a fall in poultry production; and whether, to remedy this, he will consider fixing the price of pullets and cockerels at the same figure.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Poultry.
There is no difference in the price per lb. payable for exports of dead pullets and old hens, but I am not aware that there has been a reduction in hatchings for that reason. In fact the number of hens and chickens in the State was higher in 1945 than in 1944 or 1943. I am not prepared to fix for dead pullets for export the same price as for cockerels the effect of which would be to increase the killing of pullets to the detriment of egg production and the poultry industry generally.
Is the Minister aware that for surplus pullets the owners get only the price of old hens? That means [1034] that that will kill the poultry population. I have it from very good authority that there is a very big reduction in settings this year. I suppose what the Minister intends to do is like what he did with the pigs, to kill the industry.
We are going to keep them all as pets.