asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that great dissatisfaction exists among pig producers in County Cork because of the present system of grading in the factories and if he will take steps to remedy the matter so that breeders will get a fair price for their produce.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grading of Pigs.
I am not aware that dissatisfaction exists among pig producers in County Cork with the actual grading system itself. This system is broadly in line with grading systems in other countries and its operation is strictly supervised by officers of my Department and of the Pigs and Bacon Commission.
What the Deputy may, perhaps, wish to convey is that producers whose pigs do not qualify as first quality pigs on grading are dissatisfied with the returns received. I would, however, like to point out that the existing price support arrangements apply to first quality pigs only. There is no longer a remunerative outlet for less suitable types and it would, accordingly, be undesirable to give encouragement, by price support or otherwise, to the production of such types of pigs.
I can assure the Minister that great dissatisfaction does exist among farmers because of the system of grading pigs and measurements. Four-fifths of a carcase could be graded A while one-fifth could be graded C.
The Deputy may not make his maiden speech on a question. The Deputy may ask a question.
I just want to point out that because one-fifth is graded C the whole carcase is sold as C and there is grave dissatisfaction among farmers.
If Deputy Wycherley has any detailed complaint to make about it I will be glad to look into it if he sends it on to me. The fact of the matter is that the County Cork producers seem to be much better at getting Grade A than anybody else. The percentage of Grade A returned from County Cork is something above the rest of the country.
The rest of the pigs are sold as Grade A over the county.