asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he intends to continue the beef cattle incentive scheme for 1975; and, if so, when he will make the announcement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Incentive Scheme.
9.
The beef cattle incentive scheme will be continued in 1975. An announcement in the matter will be made as soon as possible.
Will the scheme operate as it did last year or will it be changed in order that a larger subsidy will be given to the first 20 cows, or will the first two cows be included?
It is not envisaged to change the scheme for 1975. An announcement will be made shortly. Applications will be invited up to 1st April next and existing beneficiaries under the scheme need not apply.
What else will be contained in the announcement other than that mentioned today?
Nothing, I presume.
10.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has commissioned any study in his Department regarding the possibility of developing schemes whereby small farmers may retain cattle to the slaughter stage.
Normal farm management studies in my Department include assessment of ways and means of improving the incomes of small farmers through cattle production and otherwise. The system of rearing from calves to beef has been shown to be economically sound on farms with an adequate area of land. However, any system of beef production has obvious limitations on small farms in view of the fact that economic production in this country must be based on grassland.
What will the Parliamentary Secretary regard as an "adequate area of land"?
An adequate area of land is not set down in acreage terms. It could vary from place to place. A personal assumption from my wide experience in this field is that farms of less than 50 acres of good land or its equivalent would not be suitable.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that if one were to have that type of system, which is to finish beef on the small farms, that one would want to cut down one's cow herd? Would he not also agree that we are unique because we are the only country in the EEC which produces small stores at one end and finishes at the other?
We are not preventing any small farmer from adopting this system. The view of the Department is that it would not be an economic proposition for him to carry out this farming system. If any individual farmer does not agree with that view, there is nothing to prevent him getting the advice available from the Department and the committees of agriculture to help him.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that some countries where grass is covered by snow for four or five months every year still manage to carry cattle from the calf stage to slaughter stage? That is the type of study I had in mind when I put down my question.
The Deputy is telling me about parts of the country being covered in snow for four or five months of the year. I do not know of any part of this country which is covered in snow for that period.
Not this country.
That is not a realistic statement.
I was talking from experience. There is no need to get testy.
In view of the fact that the Land Commission recognise 45 acres as an economic holding, why is the Parliamentary Secretary talking about an economic holding of 50 acres?
I prefaced my remarks by saying I was expressing a personal view. I am as entitled as any other Deputy to express a personal view on any matter in this House.
Question No. 11.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary give that information to the Land Commission?