asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received a communication from the Waterford branch of the Hatchery Supply Farm Association regarding (1) the great hardship imposed on the supply farms by the restrictions imposed on the sale of hatching eggs following the outbreak of fowl pest; (2) the disproportionate cost of feeding mashes in relation to poultry returns, and (3) complaints made that some hatcheries in County Waterford were not paying a bonus for eggs of over 80 per cent. fertility; and, if so, if he will state re (1) to what extent he proposes to meet their request for compensation, re (2) what action he proposes taking to reduce the cost of feeding mashes, and re (3) what action he proposes taking to enforce the payment of bonuses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Hatching Eggs.
The communication referred to was received and a reply has been sent.
Under the Fowl Pest Orders, 1950, provision is made for the payment of compensation only in respect of poultry slaughtered and poultry carcases destroyed by direction of an inspector appointed by me for the purpose. No claim for consequential losses such as those set out in the Deputy's question can be entertained. The Deputy will appreciate that some temporary inconvenience has had to be borne by all sections of the poultry industry, but this would be a very small price to pay for the elimination of fowl pest. As from the 15th February, County Waterford was completely excluded from the infected area and the movement of hatching eggs in that county is now permitted.
The wholesale prices of proprietary feeding mashes are related to the cost of the ingredients. As maize, oil-cakes and white fish meal, which are used in such mashes, must be purchased at prevailing prices on the world market, no steps can be taken to make any substantial reduction in the cost of the mashes until such time as there is a fall in the prices of those commodities. I must again emphasise that the cheapest way of feeding live stock is the production and consumption on the farm of as much as possible of the feeding requirements. The future uncertainty relating to the prices and supplies of imported feeding stuffs is a compelling reason why home production of animal feed requirements should be pushed to the maximum.
There is no obligation on hatcheries to pay a bonus on hatching eggs of over 80 per cent. fertility. The matter is one for arrangement between the hatcheries and the suppliers of eggs and I do not propose to intervene.