asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that in County Monaghan turkeys are being bought at prices ranging from 1/- to 1/3 per lb.; and, if so, if he will consider, even at this stage, providing a subsidy to help the farmers over the crisis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Monaghan Turkey Prices.
I am aware that the prices paid recently to turkey producers in County Monaghan have ranged from 1/- to 1/2 per lb., live weight, for cock turkeys and from 1/6 to 1/8 per lb., live weight, for hen turkeys of first quality and that lower prices have been paid for inferior birds. The unsatisfactory prices prevailing for turkeys this year are due to the increased supplies of turkeys on the British market consequent on the increase of production here and in Great Britain where turkey numbers are over 70 per cent. above the 1955 level.
It is not practicable to pay a subsidy for turkeys sold on an entirely free market.
The British market is gone.
Is the Minister aware that even since I put down that question the position has deteriorated? In Monaghan yesterday, farmers were paid from 10d. to 1/-. The farmers do not expect the Minister to sit idly by while the price of turkeys continues to drop. This will have a very bad effect next year. It will mean that there will be no turkeys next year. Even at this late hour, the Minister should do something to ease the position for the farmers. We were expecting the Minister to do it.
I am sure the Deputy feels, as I feel, genuine and sincere sympathy for people who have gone to the trouble of producing turkeys only to find the market as unsatisfactory as it undoubtedly is. I think the Deputy will agree with me there is nothing I can do to control the extent to which turkey producers in Great Britain expand their production, and, when we are faced with an increase of 70 per cent. in turkey production in Great Britain, the result is not only a most unsatisfactory price for our producers but an equally disastrous price for producers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I must say that these difficulties have been further exasperated by the persistent mild weather that has obtained since the first week in December making the purchase and storage of turkeys even more difficult than it otherwise would have been.
I regret to say that my latest advice, which reached me in the last quarter of an hour—we are keeping practically in hourly contact with the London market—gives me no hope that there will be any further improvement in the market between now and Christmas. I hope producers will avail of the best prices they can get for their birds which they have to dispose of in the Christmas season.
Since the Government has been urging farmers to produce, would the Minister not think the Government should have told them what to produce?
That is a separate matter.
Has the Minister had any success in getting alternative export markets?
We have been in contact with Germany and other continental markets but the prospects are not very satisfactory. We are in a situation of oversupply.