asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the price increase given to curers in the past two months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices to Bacon Curers.
22.
My function in this matter is to determine the export prices for bacon from Grade A Special and Grade A pigs.
These prices were increased by 3/-per cwt. to 367/- per cwt and 351/-per cwt respectively as from 5th May, on the basis of costings, following a recent wage increase in the curing industry.
23.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if it is a fact that the price being paid to curers for export bacon is the same regardless of the cured quality of the bacon.
The Pigs and Bacon Commission purchases two grades of bacon for export, namely Extra Selected and Grade A. There is a different price for each grade and the Commission makes appropriate deductions for curing or other faults.
I wish to add that I deplore some recent critical public statements which were unfair, misleading and irresponsible. Statements of this kind cannot serve the interests of farmers or of other people involved and, in fact, are harmful not only to the industry but to the nation as a whole.
Is it a fact that the curer gets the same price for Grade A bacon, regardless of the cure and gets the same price for Grade A Special, regardless of the quality of the cure?
We pay the same price for all bacon in either category which is selected for export; but the bacon to be exported is selected either by an inspector of the Pigs and Bacon Commission or an officer of my Department. When this bacon is exported, if there are any deductions made for curing or other faults, they are passed back to the curer.
Would it not be just as logical to pay the producer Grade A prices for all his bacon, regardless of quality?
That is a very big question.
It would be nearly as logical.