asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the fact that New Zealand would appear to have negotiated an agreement with France for the purchase of lamb while Ireland has failed to secure such an agreement.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - French Mutton and Lamb Imports.
5.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action, if any, he intends to take to protect Irish sheep farmers against the harmful effects of the recent agreement between the French sheep producers' association and New Zealand Meat Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
7.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to take about the importation of frozen New Zealand lamb into the French market.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose taking Questions Nos. 5, 6 and 7 together.
The arrangement referred to relates to the establishment by the French sheep producers' organisation and the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board of a joint body which, according to a Press statement, would act as sole agent for mutton and lamb imported into France from New Zealand. It would also take an active interest in the distribution and marketing of New Zealand lamb in France and develop technical co-operation between the two countries.
The French quota for imports of frozen lamb is for about 3,000 tonnes per annum and is open to competitive tenders. I understand that the price French importers would offer for frozen lamb would not be of interest to our exporters.
I referred to the new arrangement during the discussion on lamb at the Council meeting in Luxembourg this week and the French representative stated that the arrangement would not result in any increase whatsoever in imports of frozen lamb into France.
Is the Minister of the opinion that this will have no effect on Irish lamb exports?
That is what the French Secretary of State said at the meeting. He said there would be no extra imports in France as a result of this new arrangement. He said that not one extra kilo would come into France.
Does the Minister believe that?
I have to accept the French Minister's assurance, which he gave when I spoke about this at the meeting.
And the Minister accepts it?
Yes. It was stated emphatically that there would be no increase in their annual imports.
Will the Minister not accept that the French are making a laughing stock of him?
Did the Minister state that of the 3,000 tons of frozen lamb imported by France none of it was Irish?
We are not talking about Irish lamb but of imports by France from New Zealand.
The Minister implied that the price of frozen lamb being imported by France was of no interest to Ireland. It is stating there is no Irish lamb imported by France last year?
Yes. We have never exported frozen lamb to France, to my knowledge.
I used to send a thousand lambs a week there.
That is fresh lamb.
Can the Minister assure the House that this latest agreement with New Zealand will not further adversely affect our lamb industry?
So far, it does not increase imports from New Zealand or the 3,000 tons of frozen lamb coming into France——
From where?
Will the Deputy let me finish? There is no way I can stop the French if they decide to import more frozen lamb from any part of the world.
The Minister should be fighting the Irish case.
Will the Minister answer the query of Deputy Murphy —that the arrangement made will not adversely affect Irish lamb exports to France?
The only thing I can say is that I was assured a few days ago that there has been no increase in imports by France over and above what existed.
Regardless of the reply he gave to the question, and regardless of how the situation appears to be, which is not very good at the moment, will the Minister endeavour to ensure that no adverse effect will arise from this in so far as our exports of lamb to France are concerned?
I have no power to ensure what Deputy Blaney wishes and what I wish.
We must proceed. Question No. 8.
In fairness, there were three questions taken together.
Is the Minister giving an assurance that there will be no adverse effects——
This is a repeat question.
If he does not, I will not accept it.
I cannot give such an assurance. I have no such power.
The Minister can do it in another way.