asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will allow bacon factories to pay the full price to suppliers for condemned pigs rather than 30 per cent of the price as at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Prices.
24.
Compensation in respect of carcases, part carcases and offals of pigs which are condemned on veterinary examination at bacon factories is payable by the Pigs and Bacon Commission out of their pigs insurance fund at rates determined by the commission in accordance with section 44 of the Pigs and Bacon (Amendment) Act, 1939, as amended by section 6 of the Pigs and Bacon Act, 1940.
Is the Minister stating that he will not raise this 30 per cent payment to what they should be entitled to, 100 per cent?
I said that it is not a matter for me. It is a matter for the Pigs and Bacon Commission who collect the special statutory levy which has been increased on three occasions, I think, in all, to try to bring the fund into balance. The reason why there has been some reduction in the compensation is that the fund got out of balance and they are bringing it back up again.
Is the Minister aware that the bacon factories concerned are willing to pay 100 per cent value?
There never was 100 per cent value.
I am asking the Minister is he aware that the bacon factories are willing to pay 100 per cent value and he will not allow them?
That is not true, of course, and the Deputy knows it is not true. He knows that this has been in existence since 1965 and that it was never at more than 60 per cent of the value.
Why is it at 30 per cent now?
The Deputy should not try to mislead the House.
The Minister is a good hand at that himself.
Would the Minister not agree that, since there has been a substantial increase in the levy recently, it should be capable of paying more than 30 per cent?
Apparently it is not.
Will the Minister have this examined and see what can be done?