asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to statements made on behalf of organisations of milk producers to the effect that their members are anxious and willing to co-operate with his Department in taking active steps to eliminate reactors from the dairying areas, but that, owing to financial circumstances, particularly amongst the small dairy farmers who form the bulk of milk producers, they are unable to bear the losses involved; and if, in the circumstances and having regard to the vital importance of the dairying industry to our whole economy, he will give the matter his urgent attention.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Losses in Elimination of Reactors in Dairying Areas.
I have given, and will continue to give, my closest attention to every matter that would adversely affect the achievement of the major task of the eradication of bovine tuberculosis.
I wonder if the Minister could not see his way to give more inducement, particularly to the small dairy farmers, to provide their own replacements? I know there are difficulties, particularly of a capital nature. This is an industry that produced indirectly £50,000,000 of our exports. I feel encouragement should be given to the dairy farmers to make the necessary provision for replacements. According to the Minister's Department, it is estimated that requirements for the five southern counties and Kilkenny would amount to 150,000 replacements per year. The present replacement rate is only 90,000.
That is not a question.
From time to time, all these matters of inducement and in centive have been discussed with interested parties. As I have pointed out on more than one occasion, when engaged in these discussions, if the extent to which inducement could be offered were unlimited, I suppose it would simplify the whole process. But one has to make what one regards as the best use of what is available, and I think the provision we are making towards the eradication of bovine tuberculosis is fairly formidable.
As the Minister is no doubt aware, the current price of Shorthorn heifer calves has gone up during the past 12 months from £6 to £20 apiece. Would the Minister consider guaranteeing a minimum price for dropped Shorthorn heifer calves? While I fully appreciate the limitations to which he has referred, in fact the current price is £20 and I do not believe it will ever fall below £20 for the next ten years. It might help to get them bred if the Minister declared himself to be a willing buyer of Shorthorn heifer calves at, say, not less than £18 or £20, for the next five years. I do not believe that would involve the Minister in one penny liability, but it would greatly encourage a number of people to send Shorthorn cows and heifers to the Shorthorn bulls.
Offhand, I would say I would not consider that suggestion at all. Even if such a scheme were introduced, I do not see what would be achieved by it.
Do not answer offhand. Brood on it.