asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the matters discussed at his recent meetings with the British Minister of Agriculture.
34.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discussions with Minister of Agriculture.
33.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will indicate the nature of his recent talks with the British Minister of Agriculture; and if he is in a position to comment generally on agricultural prospects for the winter months with particular reference to exports and to cattle, pig and poultry prices.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
In the course of my recent discussion with the British Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, a number of matters of agricultural interest to both countries were reviewed, a particular attention being given to trade in cattle and beef. The discussions are to be continued in London tomorrow and I shall make a statement on their outcome as soon as possible.
I am dealing with the prospects for cattle prices and exports in a separate reply today. With regard to pigs, there is every reason to expect that prices over the winter months will be maintained at their hitherto satisfactory level this year. It seems unlikely that there will be any material change in poultry prices during the winter.
Would the Minister give us some more information now in so far as the latter part of my question is concerned?
To what is the Deputy referring?
I have asked the Minister to comment generally on agricultural prospects for the winter months, with particular reference to exports and cattle, pig and poultry prices. Will the Minister give us some definite information about what he considers are the prospects for selling cattle? I understand from today's newspapers that the Minister was trying to sell some cattle in Britain yesterday. What are the prospects for selling cattle at satisfactory prices? The Minister will agree that the cattle sold in England in the not too distant past were sold at unsatisfactory prices and I should like to have some comment from him now and not have him sidetrack that issue.
Perhaps the Deputy did not hear me?
It is difficult to hear the Minister but I did hear him.
Does the Deputy understand me when he hears me?
Yes, but tell us——
I said in my reply that I proposed replying to a later question on the matter.
This is the first time that that procedure was adopted in this House.
If the Deputy does not like it, there is nothing I can do about it.
I noted that the Minister said he intended to deal more comprehensively with cattle prices. May I direct his attention to the fact that this question deals also with the prices receivable for fowl and pigs about which there is great anxiety——
I am——
The Minister may think it desirable to make a more comprehensive statement. I understand that the price for bonhams is almost nonexistent owing to apprehension over a trade dispute, and that an unprecedented surplus of broiler chickens has begun to manifest itself which is causing grave concern among producers.
What question are we on now?
The Minister said that he was going to make a statement——
I understand that part of it.
I wanted to direct attention to the desirability of making a comprehensive statement about pigs and poultry.
Both of which are mentioned in Question No. 34.
It appeared that the Minister felt that the position did not give rise to immediate and serious apprehension.
I also replied to that immediately after I had mentioned that I would deal with cattle on another question.
Is the Minister aware the price of young pigs has collapsed?
(Interruptions.)
I said with regard to pigs that there is every reason to expect that prices over the winter months will be maintained at their hitherto satisfactory level this year.
Does the Minister think that the strike is going to be settled?
I never accept that there is a strike until there is one.
Is the Minister not aware that the price for pigs over the past five years has been unsatisfactory?