asked the Minister for Agriculture whether store reactors are sold by his Department by (a) live weight or (b) dead weight; and what check is exercised over the weights in each case on foot of which payment is made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Method of Sale of Store Reactors.
24.
Store reactors are sold by dead weight. The weighing of the cattle at the slaughtering premises is supervised by officers of my Department who certify the weights on which payment is made.
Can the Minister say whether the actual weighing is supervised by officers of the Department or whether the officers of the Department merely check the weight sheets?
The officers are present because I understand the diseased parts are rejected and the weight is checked after that.
The officers are present?
Yes.
Is it not rather an extraordinary thing that the proportion going to the abattoir is so terribly small?
I do not know.
Is the Minister absolutely certain the check is made personally because my information is that the check is made merely with the sheet? If the check were made personally a lot of the difficulties would not arise.
I gather from this reply the inspector is present. I should not like to be too positive.
Would the Minister convey my observations to his colleague?
I shall.