asked the Minister for Agriculture the reasons for the order prohibiting the export of live horses except under licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Horses: Prohibition Order.
20.
The Government have, on more than one occasion, made it clear that they would prefer to see the trade in horses converted into a trade in horse meat. Public statements to that effect were made by the Taoiseach as long ago as January last.
At that time although the export of horse-meat had for some years been permitted subject to suitable safeguards, only one application for a licence for the establishment of an abattoir had been made and no commercial exports of horseflesh had taken place. Certain developments have, however, taken place since then. There are at present two factories engaged in the production of horse-meat for export, and, as recently announced, a new company has been formed to engage on a large scale in the slaughter of horses and the processing and export of horseflesh. Work will shortly commence on the erection of the necessary processing plant, which will conform to my Department's technical requirements. It is expected that the company will be able to go into production next spring.
These developments indicate that, at an early date, it will be possible to substitute a trade in horse-meat for the existing trade in live horses. It was in these circumstances that the Government made the decisions regarding the export trade in live horses which were recently announced.
Can the Minister say what effect these new regulations will have on the price of live horses to the Irish farmer?
I could not give any information under that head, but I assure the Deputy that every aspect, in so far as it was possible to see every aspect, of the decision was vetted from all these angles.
Can the Minister say that the price to the farmers will not be depressed as a result of these regulations?
Of course they will be.
I can give no assurance. At any time, even when trade was free and open, it was not possible to give an assurance that the price would not be depressed from time to time.
The farmers will get it in the neck, anyway.
Question No. 21.
Will the Minister not agree——
There have been about ten Supplementary Questions on this Question and I am calling Question No. 21.