asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action the Pigs and Bacon Commission have taken to procure markets for bacon and pork outside Europe; and if he will state the quantity of bacon and pork that has been sent to these countries within the last six months and the price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bacon and Pork Markets.
35.
I understand from the Pigs and Bacon Commission that their export outlets are predominantly in Europe where price returns are more attractive. The Commission keeps other markets under constant review with a view to exploiting any profitable opportunities that may arise.
The Commission did not export bacon or pork to markets outside Europe during the past six months either because these markets were closed to imports or the Commission's efforts to obtain business failed because of price considerations. Three factories are exporting limited quantities of canned and pre-packed products to the US market. Information on the quantity and prices of such exports in the past six months is not available.
Has any research been carried out in those markets and if so what did it cost? Has research been carried out into the export of bacon or pork profitably to Japan?
My information is that those markets are being continuously researched. We have sold pork to Japan and we are all the time watching the Japanese market.
Yes, but it is quite likely that after this long while the market is not a very profitable one. Is that not the danger?
There is no long while involved. It is continuously being watched.
It is continuously being watched but after all that there are no results.
As there were a lot of interruptions I did not hear the reply to Question No. 34.
We cannot go back.
I wonder if the Minister would mind reading it again?
If the Minister does not mind.
Under the terms of the EEC regulations relating to the common organisation of the market for pigmeat it is not open to me to fix guaranteed prices for pigs.
Would it be possible for the Pigs and Bacon Commission to guarantee a floor price for pig producers?
No.
There was an article in a newspaper recently which said that they were doing something like this.
They propose to set up a stabilisation fund and they had consultations with the curers to take care of valley periods. There was a time last year when producers were making as much as £8 per head on pigs and if a fund had been set up at that time it would have helped a lot.
Has the Minister got any idea what the farmers are getting now on pigs?
I know well that they are losing money on pigs.