asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what sum was realised by his Department from the levy of 3d. a lb. on turkeys exported to Great Britain during the 1946 season; if he is aware that, owing to the prevalence of disease and infertility, because of the severe weather last spring, the turkey population is comparatively low; and if, in view of that fact and of the increased cost of rearing turkeys arising from the dearness and scarcity of food, he will consider the desirability of not imposing any levy on turkeys exported during the coming season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Levy On Turkeys.
The amount realised from the deduction made in the price of turkeys exported during the 1946 season was approximately £131,000. This sum was used, as in previous years, to supplement the returns obtained for exported eggs.
It may again be necessary to supplement the returns from exported eggs this year, and I cannot therefore undertake that there will not be a deduction from the price received for exported turkeys.
Does the Minister not consider that it is very inequitable to levy a charge upon one type of producer in order to benefit another? Surely the Minister will realise that there are many smallholders engaged in the production of turkeys who might not be very extensively engaged in egg production. On the other hand, many wealthy people may be engaged in egg and poultry farms on a large scale who would benefit by the subsidy. I think the Minister should give some attention to the smallholders producing turkeys who this year have experienced enormous difficulties and hardship owing to the cold spring and summer. Very many poultry and turkeys died during the summer and flocks were more costly to rear than in any other year. They deserve some special consideration.
This is a levy about which I have had some slight doubt and on going into the Department it was one of the matters to which I gave attention immediately. I gave that attention with a slight prejudice along the lines on which the Deputy has been speaking. At the same time, I have come to the conclusion that, taking the all-over importance of the production of poultry and eggs, this deduction is, in the circumstances, justifiable.
Why not get the levy from the Exchequer? Would that not be perfectly equitable?
That is a separate question.
The question is where the levy is to come from.
It is a separate question.
There must be a limit to the extent to which you can take levies from the Exchequer.
Why select turkeys above any other product?
The levy is also chargeable on other fowls, on old hens and ducks.
Why not put it on horses? I submit that it is chargeable only on turkeys.
On old hens and ducks as well.
Whatever about the old hens and ducks, it is not chargeable on table fowl. Why not charge it on spring mattresses, or any other item but turkeys?