asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the sharp drop in suckling herds, he will consider introducing a subsidy to encourage insemination.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Suckling Herds.
20.
I do not accept the inference that there is a link between the drop in suckler herds and the level of AI fees.
My Department subsidise the cost of progeny testing the AI bulls for milk and beef qualities.
Would the Minister agree that such a subsidy scheme would halt the fall in suckling herds and would also help insemination centres, which are experiencing difficulties due to a drop in demand?
Calf prices are at a very satisfactory level at present. If farmers cannot pay an insemination fee, I simply cannot understand that mentality.
Is the Minister not concerned at the drop in suckling herds and the effect it may have on beef production in the current year and for a couple of years to come?
There are many people who had suckling herds who hoped to make a living out of them who never could have hoped to do so and I am not sorry to see those people getting out of suckling herds.
What are they getting from the Minister?
The Minister said he did not believe there was a drop in suckling herds. Surely he is not serious in saying that?
I am simply saying that in the case of small farmers, about whom the Deputy is concerned, in the west of Ireland if anybody thinks they can live on suckling herds alone he does not understand the position of farming today.
The Minister said he did not think there was a drop in suckling herds. I say he is not serious in saying that.
I did not say that at all.
That is what I took from the Minister's answer.