andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that the prices paid for reactors bears no relation to the present value of the animals; and if he will consider increasing the price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reactor Cattle Prices.
66.
The price paid by my Department for reactor cattle is based on current market values, i.e. the price which they would have obtained in the open market without reference to the result of a tuberculosis or brucellosis test. The maximum prices which are kept under constant review have been increased on a number of occasions over the past two years, the latest increase dating from 1st June, 1972. The current maxima are still well above the general range of market prices.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the effective price for the producer is the replacement price and that if the producer is seeking to replace a reactor he may not get a replacement cow at anything like the rate of compensation at present available to him?
The Deputy must be aware that compensation payable under both schemes is at market value——
Slaughter value——
——and not at replacement value.
——which, in the case of a cow, is entirely irrelevant.
He is completely wrong. They are not giving anything like market value. They cannot give more than £170——
That is not a question.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that cows are going at open sales throughout the country at up to £220, £240 and even £250 and that the most an inspector under this scheme can give is £170? Will he therefore agree that he is not giving and cannot give market value for a large percentage of the cows that are purchased?
I do not agree.
If so, the Taoiseach should send the Parliamentary Secretary to UCD.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.