With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together.
Trade in cattle and beef with Britain this year has been at a much higher level than last year. Exports of store cattle to the UK during the period January to September this year were approximately 130,000 head higher than in the corresponding period of 1966, and for the full year 1967 seem likely to reach about 600,000 head as compared with 391,000 head in 1966. Slaughterings of cattle for export to Britain in carcase form have been at a record high level this year. While trade with the Continent remains difficult because of the prohibitive import levies in operation in the EEC area, our total exports of cattle, live and dead, to all destinations so far this year are about 300,000 head higher than in the first nine months of 1966.
This greatly increased volume of exports has been reflected in the firmer market prices obtaining for cattle. Prices have, of course, also been assisted by the support payments on good quality carcase beef exported to Britain. The seasonal upturn in cattle prices normally occurs about the end of November and prices usually reach their seasonal peak in the late spring. In view of this and having regard to the present situation of the trade, it is not unreasonable to expect that cattle prices generally will be fairly firm over the next six months.