asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the total number of cattle in the State at the latest available date; and what are the prospects of obtaining markets for the extra cattle now in the country.
9.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports of Cattle.
8.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the export of cattle to Britain in 1966 was over 17,000 less than it was in 1956; and what action he intends to take to secure markets for the extra supply of cattle now on farmers' lands.
10.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if the Government have any plans to increase exports of cattle at the present time.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 8, 9 and 10 together.
Allowing for cattle exported as carcase beef, the exports of cattle to Britain in 1966 were not less than in 1956; they were in fact, 130,000 head higher, and their value per head was, of course, very much higher.
The total number of cattle in the country on 1st June, 1966, the latest date for which figures are available, was 5,590,000.
As regards markets for cattle, the Free Trade Area Agreement with Britain provides assured access to that market and the prices guaranteed for Irish stores fattened for two months in Britain are the same as the prices guaranteed for British home-bred cattle. Also, by virtue of the Agreement, the British Government are extending the support payments under their Fatstock Guarantee Scheme to 25,000 tons of Irish beef exports and the Irish Government have, of course, undertaken to make similar support payments on beef exports to Britain in excess of that quantity.
There has been a welcome revival of the trade in boneless manufacturing beef with the United States and it is expected that exports to that market in 1967 will amount to about 30,000 tons, representing over 200,000 cattle, as compared with 18,000 tons in 1966 and 4,000 tons in 1965.
As I indicated in reply to a question on 9th February, it would be rather optimistic to assume that any really satisfactory and lasting arrangements for this country's agricultural exports to Continental Europe can be established unless and until Ireland becomes a member of the EEC. At present, efforts to secure improved access to EEC markets are being made in the context of the Kennedy Round negotiations in the GATT but it is not yet possible to indicate the likely outcome. Exports of young feeder cattle to Italy which are at present exempt from import levy and duty have, however, been developing and will, I hope, be enabled to continue.
The possibilities of outlets for cattle and beef in markets other than those I have mentioned are also continually being reviewed and explored.
The Minister for Agriculture stated that the Free Trade Area Agreement gave us assured markets for cattle in Britain and can he inform us why, if cattle prices were to rise from £5 to £7 as his predecessor said, they have dropped by £10 to £20? Is the Minister aware of the catastrophe which is overtaking small farmers, due to the glut of heifers following on the heifer scheme, and that small farmers cannot sell their cattle in Ireland? Has the Minister any plans or are there any prospects for these small farmers?
I do not agree that what the Deputy has quoted my predecessor as saying was in fact what he said.
Is there any truth left?
It is convenient for the Minister to disagree.
Order.
The Deputy knows that any right-thinking person must disagree with his interpretation. What the Minister for Agriculture said in those days was borne out.
Is the Minister aware that I produced the Dáil Debates and quoted the exact day and date of the Minister's promises? Furthermore, is he aware that the then Minister, Deputy Haughey, sent agricultural advisers from his Department to Longford—I think Mr. Fricker was one of the men—and the next day the heading in the newspapers was that the farmers were to get from £5 to £7 more for cattle when the Trade Agreement came into operation? Why deny what was said?
We are not responsible for headlines in the newspapers.
The newspapers reported exactly what the Minister's official said.
The Deputy should not be aggrieved.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 11.
Did the Minister take any steps to deny the report?
The Minister has more to do than traipse around after Fine Gael Deputies who misinterpret the Minister's remarks. The Deputy is disappointed because the year 1966 was not as bad as the year 1956.
I have called Question No. 11.