asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the average price for a typical standard quality of lamb in each of the member countries of the EEC in 1969-70, 1970-71 and 1971-72 to date; and what price Irish farmers receive for this quality of lamb at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lamb Prices.
51.
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
AVERAGE Market Prices for Mutton and Lamb
|
Pence per pound estimated dressed carcase weight |
||
|
France (wholesale)— |
||
|
Lamb |
1970 |
42.8 |
|
Mutton |
1970 |
34.6 |
|
Germany (Class A, Hamburg)— |
||
|
Sheep and Lamb |
1969-70 |
27.5 |
|
(July/June) |
||
|
Ireland— |
||
|
Lamb at present (July 1971) |
19.0 |
Notes:
(1) There is no common organisation of the mutton and lamb market in the EEC.
(2) Published information on producer returns for sheep in the EEC is available only for Germany and France, and only up to the years given above.
Can I take it that in this instance the figure that the Irish farmer will receive will be given also?
Yes.
Would the Minister tell us what steps are being taken to provide a market for Irish lamb in the EEC and also what steps are being taken this year to market Irish lamb?
One of the Deputy's colleagues, Deputy Timmins, has a question down on that subject. That is Question 65 on today's Order Paper.
My question relates to the question that the Minister has just answered.
The Deputy may not pursue the question that appears on the Order Paper. If Deputies would allow questions to continue, we would get the answer.
This is an important matter.
Yes, but there is a question on the subject.
I am asking the Minister what steps are being taken this year to market Irish lamb?
Surely the Deputy cannot be unaware of the activities of the CBF and their efforts in this regard nor can he be unaware that a great deal more lamb has come on the market during the first six months of this year than in previous years. This has resulted in a depression in the price of lamb.
Is the Minister aware that there are 29 million breeding sheep in Britain and that Britain has been in touch with the French in connection with the marketing of lamb while nothing has been done here in this regard? The price of lamb in this country is £2 cheaper this year than it was last year.
As the Deputy knows, we have been marketing lamb also on the French market.