asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of canning cows slaughtered in the years ended 31st December, 1974, and 31st December, 1975; and if he will make a statement on the effect this will have on cattle, milk and meat exports in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Canning Cows.
19.
Slaughtering of cows at meat factories in the years 1974 and 1975 totalled 412,700 and 585,800 head, respectively. It is estimated that about 15 per cent of these would be in the canning category.
As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my replies to earlier questions on this matter on 4th November last. There is no evidence of any significant reduction in cow numbers in the dairy sector and, given satisfactory weather conditions, I would hope that milk output this year would exceed even the record level of 1975.
I am delighted to hear there is no reduction, although I would not be inclined to agree with him. Would he think that the change in the beef incentive scheme would lead to a reduction and more cows being sold for canning?
I would not think so. What Deputies do not seem to appreciate is that the build-up in cow numbers between 1970 and 1974, which was 460,000, came as a result not of more heifers being put in-calf but as a result of the retention of old cows. It was inevitable that the end of that road would be seen and that these cows would have to be slaughtered at some time. That is what gave us the excessive slaughterings last year and part of the year before. This year we expect slaughterings to be back to a normal level because of the very substantial increases in prices and the brighter outlook for cattle and beef generally.
In view of the reduction in the amount that can be got under the beef scheme, does the Minister not agree with me that there is likely to be an increase in the number of cows slaughtered for canning?
I am amazed that Deputy Callanan should be always looking for subsidies from the Department. The market place is the place to get the profit, and that is where the profit is coming from at the present time. It was never so good.