asked the Minister for Agriculture whether (i) the prices payable for pork exported to Britain have recently been increased; and, if so, if he will give details of the changes made, (ii) these increases will be paid to exporters of pork, and (iii) it is proposed to impose a levy on exports of pork to subsidise bacon exports to Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pork and Bacon Prices.
Mr. Walsh
The standard price payable by the British Ministry of Food for pork carcases received from this country has not been increased. Since 12th January, however, the quality premiums payable by the Ministry on carcases within certain weight ranges have been revised. Particulars of the changes made are set out in a detailed statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have included in the official report. Itwill be noted that in some cases the rate of premium has been decreased, while in one instance it has been increased.
The prices payable to Irish exporters for pork carcases have not so far been altered as it is not yet possible to form an accurate picture of how the overall returns for our exports will be affected by the changes in question.
With regard to the final part of the question the position, as I informed the Deputy in reply to a question on 23rd April 1952, is that the full moneys receivable from the Ministry of Food for pigs exported in all forms will be distributed by the Pigs and Bacon Commission to exporters, and producers will not be affected by the form in which their pigs are exported.
Quality Premiums on Pork Carcases Exported to British Ministry of Food.
(A) Prior to 12th January, 1953.
Quality premiums were payable on carcases of clean pigs weighing from 1 cwt. 1 qr. 1 lb. to 1 cwt. 2 qr. 17 lb. deadweight, provided that
(1) the back fat measured at its thinnest point was not less than ¾inch measured with skin-on, and that
(2) the carcase was not, by reason of feeding with fish or fish products, unsuitable for bacon production and for the retail pork trade.
The rates of premium payable were as follows:—
(a) Carcases weighing from 1 cwt. 1 qr. 1 lb. to 1 cwt. 2 qr. 12 lb.— 22s. 5d. per cwt.
(b) Carcases weighing from 1 cwt. 2 qr. 13 lb. to 1 cwt. 2 qr. 17 lb.— 11s. 2d. per cwt.
(B) From 12th January, 1953.
Quality premiums are payable on carcases of clean pigs of certain grades weighing from 1 cwt. 1 qr. 1 lb. to 1 cwt. 2 qrs. 17 lb. deadweight, provided that the carcase is not, by reason of feeding with fish or fish products, unsuitable for bacon production and for the retail pork trade. The rate of premium varies according to the grade of the carcase, the grade being determined by the weight and back fat measurements. Particulars of the different grades and the rates of premium payable are as follows:—
|
Weight Range |
Back-fat Measurements (with skin-on) |
Grade |
Rate of Premium (per cwt.) |
|
|
s. |
d. |
|||
|
1 cwt. 1 qr. 1 lb. to |
Maximum 2¼ inch |
A |
24 |
9 |
|
1 cwt. 2 qr. 12 lb. |
Minimum ¾ ,, |
|||
|
do. |
Maximum 2½ ,, |
B |
16 |
9 |
|
Minimum ¾ ,, |
||||
|
1 cwt. 2 qr. 13 lb. to |
Maximum 2¼ ,, |
A (T) |
11 |
2 |
|
1 cwt. 2 qr. 17 lb. to |
Minimum ¾ ,, |
|||
|
do. |
Maximum 2½ ,, |
B (T) |
8 |
5 |
|
Minimum ¾ ,, |
||||
|
1 cwt. 1 qr. 1 lb. to |
Over 2½ inch |
C |
Nil |
|
|
1 cwt. 2 qr. 17 lb. |
||||
|
do. |
Under ¾ ,, |
L |
Nil |
There is one simple little question to which I cannot get an answer. I have asked will the exporters of pork get what is paid by the British Ministry for pork or is there a deduction from that which is used as a levy on bacon? I get the answer that the general producers of pigs and bacon will get the full amount of the money. Is it a fact that there is a levy placed on pork to subsidise bacon?
Mr. Walsh
I have already answered that question on half a dozen occasions. It seems impossible to penetrate the Deputy's brain. I cannot give the Deputy any further information than I am giving him now. The only thing I can do is to refer him to his friend and colleague, Deputy Dillon, who may be able to give him a fuller explanation because it was he who made the agreement.
I am not interested in who made the agreement. I am referring to the fact. It is well known that the price for certain qualities of pork has been increased, but that increase has not been passed on.
Mr. Walsh
I have told the Deputy on numerous occasions there are no bounties and no levies. Whatever money is collected by the British Ministry of Food is transferred to the Pigs and Bacon Commission and is distributed to the exporters.
The exporters of pigs and bacon. Might I have an answer to my question? Does an exporter of pork get the price that is paid for that pork in the British market?
Mr. Walsh
He gets the price coming from the British Ministry of Food.
Does he get the price that is paid for that pork in the British market, or does the Pigs and Bacon Commission collar the lot and shove it in as a subsidy on bacon?
Mr. Walsh
In the agreement made there were certain contingencies. A certain percentage was bacon and a certain percentage live pigs and pork. It is a matter of indifference to the British whether it is live pigs or pork that are sent out. The prices obtained for the pork are paid to us through the British Ministry of Food together with the price for bacon, and the Pigs and Bacon Commission distribute the moneys that come in.
Arising out of the Minister's reply——
Question No. 154.
I believe it is the right of every Deputy to ask a supplementary question.
The Chair has already allowed sufficient supplementaries on that question. I call Question No. 154.