asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will consider the advisability of guaranteeing the price of pork pigs of 80 lbs. and upwards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pork Pig Prices.
15.
The marketing of very lightweight pork pigs at guaranteed prices would not be economically advantageous in existing circumstances.
There is a greater need for more suitable pigs of not less than the minimum of the bacon weight range, first to fulfil our quota under the multilateral understanding governing the supply of bacon to the British market and also to supply the pork export market for which pigs of that weight are in very good demand. Prices are of course guaranteed for such pigs.
Does the Minister not see that the giving of a guarantee to people who produce bonhams is an outlet for that produce at fairly reasonable prices, and does he not know that the reason why the present situation is as it is, is that the price of bonhams dropped to such a degree in 1965? If there were this outlet for lightweights, they could carry them if needs be. There is no encouragement to produce bonhams for such an uncertain market as there is at the moment?
The Deputy will get the point I have made that if we sent more of these pigs out lightweight, we would have less opportunity of getting our requirements for the export of bacon. This I think would be readily appreciated by the Deputy.
I agree, but if it was more advantageous, it could be arranged.
On the other side about this matter of the present situation in regard to a shortage, as it were, of pigs, the fact is that the throughput in the factories in 1966 was the highest for a long time.
They were mainly from the North of Ireland.
I cross that frontier as often as most people.
Does it cost the Minister 2s after 12 o'clock?
It never did.
Question No. 16.
I do not trip over any mass of pigs which the Deputy talks about.
Is the Minister aware that one factory in Limerick has closed already and that others are threatened?
The Deputy missed the boat yesterday. I had a deputation from Limerick on this matter.
Yes, politically inspired, and they went home with one hand as long as the other.
They came up and I met them.
Did the Minister tell them the truth?
The Deputy will not win that issue.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy is getting mixed up.
Does the Minister want the figures? I was there.
And a lot of help you were.
(Interruptions.)