asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (1) the total sums paid by the British Ministry of Food to the Pigs and Bacon Commission up to the 1st June or nearest convenient date for (a) live pigs, (b) pork and (c) bacon exported from this country and (2) the amounts paid to exporters of (i) live pigs, (ii) pork, and (iii) bacon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig and Pig Products Export Prices.
Mr. Walsh
No sums have been so paid.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the present general import prices being paid by the British Ministry of Food for bacon and how this price compares with the price available for live pigs and pork exported from this country to the British market.
Mr. Walsh
As regards the first part of the question, the prices are 262/5 per cwt. f.o.b. for a basic quantity and 300/- for extra quantities, or an estimated average price of 268/3 per cwt. f.o.b. in the current year.
As regards the second part of the question, the prices receivable by exporters will be such that producers will not be affected by the form in which their pigs are exported. The Pigs and Bacon Agreement with the British Ministry of Food provides that not less than 50 per cent. of the exports must consist of bacon.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that pigs exported in the form of bacon are to be subsidised by persons who export live pigs and pork?
Mr. Walsh
There is no subsidisation whatsoever of any pigs because the price of live pigs is based on the quantity of bacon exported.
May I ask the Minister whether the regulation is put in at the request of the Department of Agriculture or whether the British have insisted on it? Is it not a fact that the British Government would prefer to see live pigs and pork going in and would be prepared to pay the full price?
Mr. Walsh
No. It is part and parcel of the agreement made last year that 50 per cent. bacon and 50 per cent. live pigs would be sent. The British are more interested at the moment to get bacon than live pigs.
Apart from the large number of pigs exported in 1950, can the Minister state whether any pigs or bacon have been exported as a result of the agreement to which he has now referred?
Mr. Walsh
No.