asked the Minister for Agriculture if he fears that valuable contacts in the export beef trade may now be lost because of the inability of Irish factories to compete in world markets; and if the Government will institute a temporary subsidy on exports to obviate this danger.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports of Beef.
32.
I do not propose to introduce a subsidy on beef exports.
Does the Minister not agree there is a grave danger that our very valuable exports of beef can be affected?
I do not.
Does he not agree they can be temporarily affected?
I am not sure.
Does he not agree that the whole basis of the market is continuity of supply and that if he loses continuity at this time he may, in fact, lose a continuous and permanent market in the future?
The slaughterings at meat export premises were higher this year up to the end of February than at any time since 1959.
Does the Minister not take account of the fact that up to the end of February the extreme rise in beef prices did not take place and that, in fact, the trouble is now and in the future and not in the past?
The prices have been climbing since January.
They have been rising but does the Minister not think that they have now risen to such an extent that beef exporters may find their permanent contacts grievously affected by the higher prices?
I have told the Deputy I do not propose to introduce a subsidy.
In other words, the Minister has no answer.
33.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if his Department's officials have met representatives of the Irish Meat Exporters' Association to discuss a proposal that Irish live cattle exports to continental countries be curtailed or stopped; if he will categorically declare that neither at this nor at any other time will he limit or interfere with the export of live cattle to any country for any purpose whatever.
34.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the outcome of the discussions which he had with the representatives of the meat export trade, the livestock export trade and farmers' organisations on Friday, 6th March.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
The meeting was adjourned for a fortnight.
I have no intention of restricting the export of live cattle.
Has the Minister any intention of putting the matter of the export of beef and cattle products on a proper sensible basis by setting up an export marketing board that will prevent exploitation of the farmer, ensure the security of the worker and the proper expansion of marketing arrangements?
That is an entirely separate question.
The Chair allowed five or six supplementaries on the previous question. Will he not allow me to ask the Minister this?
It is an entirely separate matter.
In the event of a shortage of beef in the country, in consequence of high export prices for beef, would the Minister at that stage reconsider his decision? Is the Minister satisfied there would be an adequate supply at reasonable prices in this country.
I have not much sympathy for some Deputies' anxiety on this subject because during the months of October, November, December cattle prices were very poor. Now that they have become reasonably attractive all sorts of concern is being shown in this House for reasons that do not make sense to me.
I have never expressed an opinion about the price of cattle going abroad or anywhere else. What I asked the Minister about was the possibility of exports increasing the price of beef in this country.
(Interruptions.)