asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is satisfied that the drop in world grain and protein prices is being passed on to Irish feeders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grain Prices.
24.
The National Prices Commission monitors the prices of animal feedingstuffs on a quarterly basis and keeps a close watch on the relationship between these prices and the prices of the raw materials. I am advised by the commission that the average list prices of animal feedingstuffs for the 12 months ending the 31st December, 1974, followed a pattern similar to the movements in the average world prices of the main ingredient in that period. I am assured that the commission will be paying particular attention to the trends and prices in the first quarter of 1975 to ensure that the fall in world grain and protein prices is passed on to the feeders.
The question asked is if the Minister is satisfied that the drop in world grain and protein prices is being passed on? That drop occurred in January and February. Does he not agree that there is discontent in many areas because the drop has not been as substantial as it should have been.
There has been a recent drop of between £5 and £7 a ton. That at last is a contribution. I do not know whether it is equal to the drop in the price of raw material but I have been assured by the Prices Advisory Body that they are now monitoring the first three months and they will be able to say whether this drop has been passed on.
Would the Minister agree that, while compounders have to buy in advance and might not have the full benefit for the first couple of months, after two months or more the purchasers should feel the benefit of this substantial reduction? They are complaining they have not felt the benefit they expected.
The Deputy should acknowledge that we have lower prices for feedingstuffs than have our competitors generally. Competition rather than price control has been much more effective.
Does the Minister really think so?
It has been much more effective than what was done in Northern Ireland and Britain.
But the complete collapse in the pig industry——
That took place 12 months ago when there had been six months of very poor prices and very highly priced feedingstuffs.
Would the Minister not think that the removal of price control had something to do with it?
It had nothing whatever to do with it.