asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that pig producers were and are receiving an uneconomic price for their pigs and that his recent decision to reduce the price of bacon in favour of the consumer has further depressed the prices received by the producers; and, if so, if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Prices.
I have no function in regard to the price of pigs. I am not aware that the recent Order controlling retail distributors' margins on bacon has depressed pig prices. While pig prices are not affected by the Order it may be mentioned that the prices of pigs have increased since the date of the Order.
Will the Minister say if at the time of fixing the retail price for bacon he took into consideration the fact that at that time a most uneconomic price was prevailing for pigs to the producers and if the retail prices that he fixed for bacon at that time were based on the low uneconomic price the producers were receiving for pigs at that particular time?
This matter was considered in all its aspects by the Prices Advisory Body which, no doubt, took into consideration the price level for pigs tendered at the factories and the prices which the consumer was asked to pay for the cured bacon. It was by advertence to these factors that the prices were fixed by the Prices Advisory Body. The Deputy will have noticed that the Prices Advisory Body will shortly hold a public inquiry into the distributors' margins in respect of prices of bacon and bacon products.
Will the Minister say if the producers were heard by or represented before the Prices Advisory Body at the time that they fixed the retail price of bacon?
If the Deputy had asked that question I would have given him the information. If he cares to put down a question I will supply the information on the subject that is available to me. However, whether they were heard in the past or not, there will be a public inquiry shortly and all those interested will have an opportunity of making their case there.
Did the Prices Advisory Body give publicity to the holding of that inquiry into the price of bacon?
Perhaps the Deputy will put down a question.
This arises out of the fixing of the price for bacon.
It may be taken that Fianna Fáil were in favour of reducing the price of eggs and cocoa and against reducing the price of bacon.
I want to get the Deputy out of a hobble.
All I want is that the Deputy would write down on paper whatever stray thoughts are in his mind.
I should like to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment with your permission.
I will communicate with the Deputy in the course of the afternoon.