asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries on what information he bases his advice to farmers to hold on to their cattle and not to sell them at the present time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Cattle.
25.
The view I expressed in this matter was based on considerations such as the following:—
(a) the factors outside our control which led to the present market situation are not of a permanent nature;
(b) cattle prices are seasonally lower in the autumn than in the first half of the year;
(c) the weekly standard price under the British Fatstock Guarantee Scheme, for which Irish stores fattened in the UK qualify and to which our support payments on exports of beef to Britain are linked, is now at its minimum level and will commence to move upwards early in November to reach its peak in the late spring.
Did the Minister not know when making this statement last May, before the Presidential election, when he promised farmers that they would get £5 to £7 per head more for their cattle after 1st July, that cattle prices are usually lower in the autumn than in spring? Further arising out of the Minister's reply, is he not aware that most small farmers must sell their cattle at the present time to pay their rates and their debts and that they are being harassed by the rate collectors at present for their rates? Does he intend to do anything about it?
You appointed five of them in Longford last year.
Longford County Council appointed them.
I have already announced, in so far as any farmer finds himself in difficulties through holding on to his stock, and not selling at this juncture, particularly young stock, the Agricultural Credit Corporation will come to his aid.
Where would they get it?
They have it. If somebody gives me an example of somebody who wants a loan for agricultural purposes, I will get it.
I will give you half a dozen.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
I guarantee that any creditworthy——
Those people cannot get credit.
I guarantee that any creditworthy farmer who is in difficulty can go to the Agricultural Credit Corporation tomorrow and get a loan of £500 without security simply by signing a promissory note.
What does the Minister mean by creditworthy farmers?
Ninety-five per cent of the farmers in this country are creditworthy.
Does the Minister know how many times previous Ministers for Agriculture have made that statement?
Many farmers of this country have got credit.
They will not have it for long.
Is the Deputy disappointed that this credit is available?
Why are they marching then?
(Interruptions.)
Deputy M.P. Murphy rose.
If Deputies want to hear the Minister, they must allow him to speak. Will Deputy M. P. Murphy sit down? The Minister, in conclusion.
Would the Minister indicate the date of the pending increases in cattle prices announced by him? Could he give the approximate date?
The Deputy is probably referring to a statement of mine in which I said that subject to various trade fluctuations and other things, the Trade Agreement would be worth £5-£6 a head for our cattle and, in fact, at this moment it is worth that.
They are down £20 a head.
(Interruptions.)
This could go on all day. I will not allow any more supplementary questions; Question No. 26.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling Question No. 26.
The Minister should——
I would be a bit wary of anything Deputy Harte would recommend.
I am calling Question No. 26.
I would be a bit wary of the Deputy's recommendations.
The Minister would have to have a certificate from a certain firm of auditors before that— go down to Irish Shipping.
Or a Fianna Fáil club.
I am calling Question No. 26; would the Minister please answer Question No. 26?