asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the price being paid for wool at the present time; the price paid at the corresponding time last year; and if he has any advice to give to farmers as regards the price they should obtain for their wool.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Wool.
13.
The prices reported in June this year for washed wool from the main sheep breeds and crosses ranged from 2s 2d to 3/- per lb. In June, 1966, they ranged from 3s 6d to 4s 6d per lb.
As I indicated in reply to questions by the Deputy and by Deputy McLaughlin on 20th June, the prices paid to producers depend on world prices which have declined during the past year and have affected the prices paid in other producing countries also.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary hold out any hope to the small farmer that he is going to get a fair price for wool this year? Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that wool was selling five years ago at 6/- a lb and now, this year, the farmer is getting 2s 2d? Is there any hope for the small farmer that he will get a fair and just price for his wool next year?
The Deputy is aware that four-fifths of all wool is exported and man-made fibres have become much more widely used than five years ago.
I am also aware that the Parliamentary Secretary's Party did not agree with exporting anything at one time.