asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the prices, at present ruling for cattle shipped from Eire to Great Britain for immediate slaughter, are uneconomic; and if he will cause representations to be made to the British Minister for Food, with a view to securing an increase of at least 2d. per lb. in these prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Exported Cattle.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As the Deputy is probably aware, an increase of 1d. per lb. dressed carcase weight in the price schedule for fat cattle was given with effect from 1st October last. I am satisfied that no useful purpose would be served by making further representations in the matter at this stage.
Is the Minister not aware that the present prices are completely uneconomic and that in the county I represent farmers must have farmyard manure to put into their land? The alternative is to give them a ticket for the workhouse. They cannot raise crops without plenty of farmyard manure. These are people who till from 60 to 70 per cent. of their land. If they are to raise even a fair crop, they must have plenty of farmyard manure. To get that, stall-feeding and pig-feeding are required and these are the two things which the Minister killed by the economic war.