asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate what the prices during the coming season will be for (a) cattle, (b) sheep, (c) lambs, and (d) pigs and whether the upward trend prevailing in Great Britain will be followed here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Live-Stock Prices.
The detailed price schedules for fat cattle, sheep and lambs exported to Great Britain during the year commencing on Monday next, 16th April, are in course of preparation and will be published as soon as possible. The increases in the prices paid for British home-bred fat stock will be fully reflected in the new prices for prime Irish cattle, sheep and lambs.
As I recently announced in the House, I expect at a very early date to conclude a satisfactory long-term agreement with the British Minister of Food in regard to pigs and farmers can confidently expand production in the knowledge that there will be a remunerative market for all the pigs that can be produced.
As happened in the case of the hens.
I did not make the henegg agreement.
Can the Minister give an assurance that the price of pigs paid to Irish producers will not be less than the price paid to British producers?
No, I cannot.
Will there be any relation between them?
Yes.
What is the gap between them?
That will be part of the announcement which will astonish and infuriate the Deputy.