asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the continuing unsatisfactory price for wool; and if he can take any action to ensure better prices for farmers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool Prices.
24.
I am aware that because of the general decline in world demand for wool, market prices here have been somewhat lower this year. Good presentation and marketing are now more than ever essential if farmers are to get the best possible return for their wool. Regulations under the Wool Marketing Act, 1968, to improve the wool grading and purchase arrangements were brought into operation this year and a distinct improvement in the presentation of the wool offered is already evident.
Legislation was introduced here in the past couple of years for the purpose of sustaining a floor price at least on wool and would the Minister agree that the Wool Marketing Board seem to be having no effect whatever in stabilising the price and giving a reasonable return to farmers? Would he not agree that the whole matter of the price of wool this year is utterly disastrous and is there any action he can take to rectify it?
I think the main purpose of the legislation in 1968 was to secure better marketing of wool and in that way procure optimum prices for wool producers. I accept that there has been a considerable drop in wool prices this year. The Deputy will be aware that the wool clip is to an extent of 80 per cent exported into the current market where there is a price drop of between 20 and 25 per cent simply because of competition from synthetics. The contraction in the price of wool is a world-wide phenomenon and there is very little we can do about it. The encroachment of synthetics is progressive.
Is the Minister aware that the sheep farmers of the West are facing disaster because of the effects of this? Can he hold out any hope for the future other than a woolly statement trying to pull the wool over their eyes?
I do not think witticisms will solve the problem. I accept that the general profitability of flock masters is affected adversely by the drop in the price of wool and other factors. It is a matter of concern to the Department but the facts I have been mentioning, such as the price of wool in markets where we must sell our products is a reality and we must face up to that position.