asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the Cork bacon factories are unable to cope with the supply of pigs at present on offer in that county, and, if so, if he will take steps to ensure that a ready market will be made available for pig producers of the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Pigs.
Mr. Walsh
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, all pigs surplus to home requirements can be readily marketed in Great Britain as pork, at prices already announced, and such exports are taking place.
Is the Minister aware that some people have to wait a fortnight before they can market their pigs, that during that period the pigs may exceed the maximum weight to qualify for the maximum price, and that, consequently, farmers suffer a loss?
Mr. Walsh
I have told the Deputy that provision is there if they want to avail of it.
The Minister's information is incorrect.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, will he not let us know how a farmer is to go about getting his pigs purchased for export?
Mr. Walsh
The market.
The Minister should not get cross. If a farmer in a particular area finds that, perhaps owing to his own failure to familiarise himself with the proper procedure, he is unable to get a purchaser until, as Deputy Murphy points out, the pig passes the weight for which the maximum price is paid, he suffers a loss. I would not know at the present moment, if I were trying to sell pigs to be sold as pork in Great Britain, to whom I should offer them. Will the Minister say if a person in that dilemma, on application to the Pigs and Bacon Commission, will be given the information, or where can he get the information? How should we market our pigs if the local bacon factory or the local pig jobbers are not prepared to take them?
Mr. Walsh
Pig markets are held in most parts of the country every week.
There is no need for the Minister to get cross. There are quite a number of areas now where the traditional pig fairs are no longer held consequent upon the establishment of a number of rural bacon factories. Could a farmer in that dilemma apply for advice and guidance to the Pigs and Bacon Commission or to the Minister's own Department?
Mr. Walsh
Certainly.
May we take it that a farmer in that dilemma should inquire from the Pigs and Bacon Commission?
Mr. Walsh
Certainly.
The Minister has stated that he has no such information. If I could supply him with the names of people who have lost money as a result of having to wait a fortnight for a market for their pigs, what action will the Minister take?
Mr. Walsh
I know that a number of farmers in the country are not prepared to market their pigs at the proper weight and have held them over in the hope of getting the top price for overweight pigs. There is nothing we can do about that. The prices are fixed and we are going to insist that the higher prices are paid for the best quality bacon.
There is some racket being carried on so far as this pig marketing is concerned.