asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that over 50 per cent of canning cows killed at factories are found to be in calf; and if he is satisfied that there are sufficient replacements available to increase present levels of milk production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Production.
30.
Since inseminations by dairy bulls over the past two years have been at a consistently high level of over 60 per cent of the total, I am satisfied that there will be adequate replacement stock available. There is no evidence to show that an abnormally large number of cows slaughtered this year in factories were in calf.
I know the Parliamentary Secretary would not deliberately tell an untruth but I have checked this matter with an auctioneer. Everyone knows that a very large number of cows slaughtered this year were in calf. The trouble with this House is that very few Members have ever attended a mart. It would do them good to see what is happening.
I will give the Deputy all the information at my disposal. During the years people have sold cows in calf—this is something I cannot understand and possibly the Deputy does not understand it either. Last year, when cattle were selling at exceptionally high rates, 10 per cent of the cows sold were in calf. This year the figure is 12.6 per cent. This is not due to prevailing circumstances. Last year 10 per cent of the cows sold to factories were in calf and everybody knows that at that time cattle prices were exceptionally good.
I must remind the House that time for Questions has expired.
One short supplementary. Did I understand the Parliamentary Secretary to say that, apart from the in-calf cows being slaughtered, there is no appreciable increase in the number of cows being slaughtered? Can the Parliamentary Secretary state the increase in the number of cows being slaughtered, because so far as we are aware cows are being slaughtered every day?
The figure is 311,267.
What was the figure for last year?
It was 256,626.
Therefore——
I am endeavouring to facilitate a colleague of yours, Deputy, in asking a supplementary. One short supplementary from Deputy Callanan.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that the reason for the increase is because the farmers are not able to sell the calves and consequently must sell the cows in order to realise a few pounds, regardless of whether the cows are in calf.
The increase is due to the international conditions that prevail so far as the cattle market is concerned. This situation is to be found not only here but in Great Britain and also in Western European countries, where cattle prices are not good at present. This situation therefore is not due to any activity or otherwise on the part of this Government. Indeed by the aids and help they have given and by the effectiveness of their action, the Government have been responsible for relieving much of the difficulties of farmers and for this many farmers are very grateful. They are thankful to have a Minister for Agriculture who is so capable and so effective.
Let the Parliamentary Secretary tell that to the farmers.
(Interruptions.)
There is an increase of 70,000 in the number of cows slaughtered this year as against the number for last year.
The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.