asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that hatcheries have informed turkey supply farms that they cannot take their eggs and that some suppliers are losing heavily; and what steps he proposes taking to rectify the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turkey Supply Farms.
91.
I am not so aware. Supply farms, generally, have had no difficulty in disposing of their hatching eggs.
One licensed turkey hatchery, because of a temporary reduction in its orders for turkey poults, recently notified its supply farms that it would be unable to accept one week's supply of eggs. I understand that, in the event, the hatchery did not refuse any eggs.
The peak of the turkey hatching season is from May to August and the demand for hatching eggs should continue to be adequate.
The terms on which hatching eggs are purchased are, of course, matters for settlement between the supply farm owner and the hatchery. Suppliers have been advised by this Department of the importance of having effective contractual arrangements.
I can let the Minister have letters from two different firms informing supply farms that they are not in a position to take their eggs but that they would recommend that the farms sell to the liquid trade at 12p per dozen. I can see a dangerous monopoly arising here because some of the firms are engaged in creating their own supply farms. Is the Minister aware that this is the danger in the poultry trade and that it could apply also to the pig trade? Could he take steps to ensure that this dangerous monopoly would not exist and that big grants would not be paid to hatcheries that are creating their own supply farms? If he could confine the poultry and pig trade to the small farming community we would not have the great problems in relation to small farmers that we have now.
If the Deputy will let me have particulars of the cases in question, I shall be glad to have them investigated. Regarding his anxiety in the matter of the creation of large-scale operations which would be assisted within the EEC, I think that the directives from the EEC in this regard are aimed rather at the control of enterprises of too great a size. In the case of pigs the danger of disease would be a limiting factor.
I can let the Minister have two letters with regard to hatcheries.