asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the variations in the prices paid to producers for fat pigs; and, if so, if he will make a statement indicating the relationship between these prices and the price of bacon which is unvariable in price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Fat Pigs.
There is nothing I can usefully add to my reply to the Deputy's question in this matter on 23rd October, 1952.
Could the Minister not give any indication as to why the price of fat pigs is not stable? It seems extraordinary that if the price of bacon is stable—it never comes down—the price of fat pigs comes down?
Mr. Walsh
I answered that question in 1952 and if the Deputy looks up the records of the House he will find it.
Would the Minister refresh my memory?
Mr. Walsh
The answer is that pigs are bought on quality. There is a variation in price because of the quality of the pigs purchased.
It is not a question of quality. It is a question of the fair. You go into a certain fair and pigs are a certain price. It is a question of the market for the day, which is rising and falling all the time. The farmers cannot understand why they cannot get stabilised prices when there is no change in the price of bacon.
Does that not happen in all trading?
No.
Of course it does.