asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the effects on the Irish cattle trade of imports of German beef into Great Britain, giving the size of these imports and the prices paid to the German exporters, taking compensatory amounts into account.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Cattle Trade.
1.
I understand that there have been imports of beef into Great Britain from Germany in recent months at the rate of about 300-400 tons a week. This beef is mainly of forequarters and is consigned direct to manufacturers' premises. Information is not available in regard to beef sold to manufacturers but such quantity as reaches Smithfield is sold at a price of 18p to 19½p per lb.
These imports undoubtedly have some influence on the forequarter trade generally which is also affected by the recent heavy slaughterings of cows in the United Kingdom.