asked the Minister for Agriculture the action he proposes to take regarding the importation of eggs.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Egg Imports.
22.
(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the annualised value of egg imports is now running at £9 million and is likely to increase and that this is having a very damaging effect on the poultry industry; and if he will intervene to restrict these imports in the interests of the poultry industry.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
While trade in eggs between member states cannot be restricted, I have been concerned about certain aspects of the increasing imports from Northern Ireland and have been following these up at Community level.
At the Council meeting in July last I sought and received an undertaking from the EEC Commission to examine measures needed to improve the Community egg market. In the meantime, the Commission has had discussions with the trade interests involved about possible ways to improve the market. In addition, I asked that the feed price allowance to Northern Ireland egg and poultry producers be discontinued. This was done at the time.
The Commission has also been investigating a formal complaint lodged by us about the apparent below-cost sales of some imported eggs. They are aware of my continuing concern about this matter.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister tell the House if Northern Ireland egg producers enjoy any subsidies or reduction in the cost of feed or other inputs?
As I said, that was the case in July. We asked the EEC commission about it and the subsidy has been discontinued as from that time. That is to my present knowledge.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is it not obvious that either they are enjoying some assistance in the cost of production or are dumping eggs here, virtually dumping them, and that as a result our poultry industry and the employment given by it are in grave danger?
Yes, I accept that the situation about low cost selling is something which we have asked the Commission to treat as very serious. The egg market generally in the Community has been a difficult one. The increased imports from the Netherlands and France to the UK market has, if you like, kept the North of Ireland eggs off the British market and they are coming down into our market. This is a difficult situation but one which I hope that we can, in the community context, resolve in the not too distant future.
Is the Minister certain that the subsidy has, in fact, been discontinued? Secondly, if the Minister is certain of that, can he tell us what other advantages, in terms of feed prices, are available to farmers in Northern Ireland and not available to our farmers?
As I said, the subsidy which we spoke about in the July Council meeting has been discontinued. I am not aware of any other subsidy being available. That is my knowledge at the present time.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister not less than convincing when he says that as far as he is concerned——
Yes.
(Cavan-Monaghan):——there is no subsidy available at the present time? Would he give the House an assurance that there is not, in fact, any subsidy for feed payable to the Northern Ireland producers? If he consults with his colleague, the Minister for Education, he will know that this performance of dumping eggs in this country to the tune of £9 million a year is virtually killing the poultry industry in our constituency and in the country?
I accept that there are problems. What I said was in relation to the law as I know it and as the system operates under the Common Organisation, I am not aware of any subsidy.
I ask the Minister if he is aware, and I am sure he is, that at least 40 per cent of the eggs consumed at present in the State are now coming from Northern Ireland? Is he further aware that the main problem, first of all, is that Northern Ireland producers are getting grants for their equipment and houses which the southern producers are not getting? Secondly——
A question please, Deputy.
That is a question.
It is a statement.
Is the Minister aware that the main problem is that surplus eggs are being dumped into the State; therefore those responsible do not care whether they make a profit or not?
I understand that imports have increased up to 23 per cent of our requirements from the North of Ireland.
A final supplementary from Deputy Fitzpatrick.
Excuse me, I wish to finish my reply. Deputy White asked two or three questions. The other two points raised by the Deputy are the subject of these urgent discussions that we are having in the Commission about the low cost selling.
This is an unfair advantage.
The matter was urgent last July. What has happened since?
A final supplementary from Deputy Fitzpatrick.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I ask the Minister is below cost selling in accordance with the EEC law and might I also put it to the Minister that there is no difference, in so far as the Irish producer is concerned, between low cost selling and subsidised feed. Could I finally ask the Minister to forget for the moment about the strict letter of the EEC law and take some action to protect this important Irish industry?
Because we have made this formal complaint to the Commission about the low cost selling and the examination has been undertaken there, I do not think that the compatability of this with the Treaty of Rome arises. These are the things which we are having examined as a matter of urgency. I only hope that in the not too distant future we will overcome what is, I believe and accept, a serious situation in relation to our producers.
It is unfair that this dumping of eggs should be taking place.
This was urgent last July.
We got promises that this subsidy would be discontinued.
There is not a lot to show for the Minister's efforts.
Ceist 24. I have allowed numerous supplementaries.
One final supplementary—
I am sorry. Ceist a 24.