asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is correct that the export of fat cattle from the port of Dublin has fallen from 15,127 in the seven months January to July, 1951, to 6,145 in the same period of 1953, while for the same periods the export of fat cattle from the port of Belfast has increased from 18,333 to 31,472; further, that two cattle boats have been transferred from Dublin to Belfast; and whether, in view of the adverse effect such changes in the cattle traffic from this country have on employment and also on domestic prices for meat, he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Fat Cattle.
Mr. Walsh
As regards exports to Britain, the answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. Exports of store cattle from the port of Dublin, however, increased from 72,434 in the first seven months of 1951 to 90,498 in the corresponding period of 1953, while exports of fat cattle from Dublin to the Continent increased from 9,684 to 10,645 in the same period. Exports of carcase beef, a substantial proportion of which takes place from Dublin port, also increased from 67,996 cwts. in the first seven months of 1951 to 308,637 cwts. in the first seven months of 1953; and, similarly, exports of carcase mutton, lamb, pork and canned meat haveincreased from 7,028 cwts. mutton and lamb, no pork, and 72,911 cwts. canned meat in the first seven months of 1951 to 25,964 cwts. mutton and lamb, 141,772 cwts. pork and 116,400 cwts. canned meat, respectively, in the first seven months of 1953. As regards the last part of the question, it is clear, therefore, that employment has benefited considerably since 1951. The export prices for live stock and meat are primarily governed by the trade arrangements with Britain, under which both increases and decreases have taken place since 1951, following the application of similar changes in the prices payable to British home producers.
Will the Minister indicate the extent to which this improvement is attributable to the cessation of calf slaughtering in 1948, and will he agree that his report would be much more favourable if we had now the 47,000 calves which Dr. Ryan, then Minister for Agriculture, slaughtered at that time?
Mr. Walsh
This improvement is due to good administration.
Yes, under Deputy Dillon.