asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the housewife may expect a fall in the price of bacon and eggs in the near future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bacon and Egg Prices.
64.
There is evidence that the price of pigs has dropped slightly in recent weeks and, allowing for the usual interval for processing, this may result in a slight reduction in the retail price of bacon in the near future. As I have no indication that egg producers' costs are likely to fall, I do not anticipate an early reduction in egg prices.
Is the Minister aware of the recent steep rise in the price of protein concentrates for animal feeding stuffs? In view of that fact does it not seem reasonable that the cost of production of pigs is bound to rise? Has the Minister any comment to make on that? He seemed to indicate that there was a possibility of a drop in the price of bacon. How can he reconcile this with the steep increase in the price of protein for animal feeding?
The Deputy will be aware that, for example, in regard to Grade A Special the price on 4th June was £26 to £27.50 per cwt, whereas on 25th June it was £25 to £26. The price of the raw material of the pig per cwt has come down. While there is a certain delay, because you do not get an instant product in the case of bacon, it is to be expected that this drop in price will be passed on to the consumer. I share the Deputy's concern for the escalating world price of protein supplements and particularly soya beans, largely resulting from the recent action of the United States Government. The Deputy knows as well as I do that we have very little control over prices of commodities on world markets and if he can make representations or suggest representations to the United States Government in regard to their releasing soya beans, I will be very happy either to support them or initiate them.
I think the Minister is being facetious.
Not at all.
The Minister's reply seems to indicate that he expected a fall in the price of bacon because the price of the raw material has shown a drop in recent times. He cannot, in my opinion, build the prospect of a continued drop in the price of bacon in view of the fact that the raw materials of the pigs has risen steeply.
The Deputy is making a statement. He is developing an argument.
The only reply he has is to suggest that I make representations to the United States.
This is an extension of the question. Question 65.