asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of pigs delivered to factories for the first five months of 1967; the number delivered for the same period in 1966; if he will give the reasons for the decline; and what plans he has to rectify the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Deliveries to Factories.
12.
The number in the first five months of 1967 was 579,000 as compared with 696,000 in the same period in 1966. The deliveries in the past few weeks have been showing an upward trend. The fall in pig production was mainly a cyclical movement, characteristic of the industry in other countries as well as here, and there was a fall in most European countries in 1966.
Steps already taken to encourage increased pig production here have been introduction of the Farrowed Sow Scheme, increased pig housing grants in 1966 and increased minimum guaranteed prices for good quality pigs under this year's Budget.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the dead hand of Fianna Fáil has now fallen on the pig industry and there will be nothing left for the small farmers? Have you any plans to make pig production profitable for the small farmers?
Has the Parliamentary Secretary seen a report in the newspapers that the estimated number of pigs being smuggled across the Border is approximately 3,000 per week and that they are taking active steps to stop this smuggling? What will happen when it stops, from the point of view of supplying our quota on the British market?
I did not see such a report. I did see a report in the midlands where a factory buyer said he was paying the highest price in Europe for pigs.
He cannot get them.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in Monaghan where there are very big producers the view is now held that as a result of an increase of between 15/- and £1 a ton, authorised by An Bord Gráin in the price of barley, the production of fat pigs has again become uneconomic? Would the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Minister to consider a supplementary increase on a guaranteed minimum price for pigs, to compensate for the increase authorised by An Bord Gráin?
The present guaranteed minimum prices for pigs, including the 6/- per cwt. increase granted from 1st May per cwt. deadweight are: Grade A special, 266/-; Grade A, 254/-; Grade B1, 246/-; Grade L, 229/-. The minimum guaranteed prices for Grade A special and Grade A pigs were increased by 6/- per cwt. deadweight as from 1st May, 1967, and under the Farrowed Sow Scheme which came into operation on 15th September, 1966, originally for one year, but since extended to June, 1968, a grant of £5 is payable in respect of each farrowed sow up to a maximum of five sows per herd. Grants amounting to £392,195 have been paid to date on 78,439 sows.
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary and his officials would look into this problem of the increased price of barley?
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary realises that reply is unfair, that he should give the two sides of the picture? Can he now tell us the increase that has taken place in farmer's overhead expenses and costs, and in the price of feeding stuffs? There is no use in telling us the sale price unless he gives the price of feeding stuffs over the past two or three years.
I am sure the Deputy would be very disappointed if I did not give him the sale price.
(Cavan): In connection with farrowed sows, is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his Department have refused to pay a grant in respect of a farrowed sow where the animal farrowed, lived for a couple of days but died before the Department inspector came to inspect her?
I am not so aware.
(Cavan): If I direct such a case to the Parliamentary Secretary's attention, will he arrange to have payment made?
I shall arrange to have an investigation carried out.
It does not seem to arise on this question anyway.