asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of calves for fattening to 176 lbs. live weight which were exported since 1st January, 1974; and the number of calves up to 484 lbs. live weight which were exported since that date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Calf Exports.
45.
Up to 8th March, 1974, exports consisted of 455 calves for fattening each under 176 lbs. in weight. There were no exports of calves in the weight range 176 lbs. to 484 lbs.
Are there any more such exports? There was an advertisement in the papers last weekend referring to the last shipment of young calves for this year.
Somebody may have said that but it was not said by the Department.
Would the Minister give permission to export calves in the weight range of 484 lbs.? This would help the depressed small farmers in the milk areas who rear young stock and would create more buoyancy in the trade.
There is no restriction except that they have to pay the monetary compensatory amounts that are required.
I hope they will not have to. There were enough restrictions last year.
There is a limit on the restrictions. The same restrictions exist as existed last year.
Can the Minister confirm that there are no more shipments of young cattle out of the country?
I cannot confirm anything of the sort. I have no power in this matter other than making them carry the compensatory amounts.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.