asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the widespread confusion on the problem that exists amongst Irish lamb producers, he will make a statement on the reasons for the absence of a floor price for lamb in this country; and if he will state when and how Irish lamb producers will avail of the floor price of 35p per lb for lamb now enjoyed by British farmers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lamb Prices.
48.
As regards a floor price for lamb, I would refer the Deputy to my remarks in connection with a question by Deputy James Gibbons on 17th December last. The same weekly support rate is paid here on exports of Irish carcase mutton and lamb to Britain as is paid under the UK fatstock guarantee scheme for UK home-bred sheep and lambs. The UK bears the cost of this support on our exports up to 5,500 tons per annum, which is more than the quantity we exported to the UK in each of the last three years. Also Irish store sheep and lambs fattened in the UK for at least two months are eligible for the same support payments as UK home-bred sheep and lambs. The UK support payments are based on a guaranteed annual average price of 35.5p per lb for 1975-76, the actual weekly guaranfeed price varying seasonably from 34.2p per lb in the autumn to 38.8p in the spring.
Is it not a fact that at the Dublin summit meeting presided over by the Taoiseach, Deputy Cosgrave, the British Government were authorised to extend the importation of New Zealand lamb to 250,000 tons per year for three further years beyond 1978 and that this would give the British lamb producers the opportunity to export their own production of lamb in Britain to the continental market to the detriment of Irish exports to that market? The only quantity of lamb we export is not 250,000 tons but 5,500 tons.
What the Deputy says is not correct.
It is absolutely correct. Will the Minister tell me where it is incorrect?
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.