asked the Minister for Agriculture when the new regulations governing the slaughter of pigs in bacon factories will be published.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Slaughter of Pigs Regulations.
31.
It is expected that the relatively minor amendments required in the present regulations, which are now being drafted, will be put into effect about the beginning of January, 1965.
Is it true that further consignments of bacon of inferior quality and curing have been sent since the original difficulty arose?
No. I would not agree that is the case at all. The Deputy, I think, knows the situation as well as I do. The Pigs and Bacon Commission are all the time endeavouring to improve the quality. I do not think anybody would expect them to do that overnight. I suppose it is inevitable that bacon which would not be regarded as coming up to the highest possible standard will be exported on occasion but continuing efforts are being made by the Commission to improve the position.
Is it true that the Scottish housewife is prepared to pay 1/6d. per lb. more for the Scottish product in preference to the Irish product and that the main offending firm is a firm that got £200,000 from the Government in order to equip itself to compete in the export market?
I suppose we can admit frankly that certain other bacon which is sold on the British market has an edge over our product but the whole purpose of the exercise in the Scottish market was to try to overcome that competitive disadvantage. I think that, rather than the campaign which has been carried out to denigrate our bacon, all concerned should be doing what they can to help to promote its popularity on the British market in general and in that particular area in Scotland which has been chosen for this experiment.
Has the Minister any power to fine firms which let the country down in this matter?
I can revoke their licences.
Is the Minister prepared to appoint a quality manager in regard to the export of Irish bacon to see that whatever is exported is properly cured and presented?
The Pigs and Bacon Commission have, in effect, done that and, indeed, more than that. They have appointed a number of persons who have supervisory functions in regard to our bacon export trade and they are available to investigate complaints made by customers and deal with them on the spot.
They must not be doing their job too well.