asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider the introduction of a bonding system for cattle dealers in order to prevent farmers from finding themselves at the loss of substantial sums of money as a result of the collapse of the finances of a particular cattle dealer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Dealer Bonding System.
38.
I do not feel that a bonding system for cattle dealers would be practicable. A requirement that producers should sell to bonded dealers only would be extremely difficult to enforce and would reduce the market outlets available to producers.
Would the Minister not agree that the recent collapse of a cattle dealer, to which the previous question referred. Suggests the need for some method — perhaps not bonding — to protect producers selling their cattle to dealers, particularly when substantial quantities are involved? Would he agree to investigate, if not the introduction of bonding, the introduction of some other form of protection for farmers who may sell virtually their entire herd to one dealer? If the cheque is not honoured the farmer could find himself out of business and in a far more serious situation than would apply in business.
I appreciate this point and sympathise with it. It is a sad situation when this occurs. We are talking about a private deal between purchaser and seller and it is very difficult to interfere in this area. I will, however, examine the point made by the Deputy.
Would the Minister not agree that the whole idea of consumer protection legislation is that the State accepts that in certain circumstances there is a need to interfere in a private deal between buyer and seller and that an analogous situation may apply in this situation? Will he agree to consult his colleague in the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism with a view to giving some degree of protection to farmers selling to cattle dealers?
I am prepared to consult with my colleagues or interested parties on this question, but we are dealing with a free and open market where the individual producer may sell to whomsoever he likes at the price agreed between them. It is the interests of all farmers selling agricultural produce, particularly livestock, to ensure they get guaranteed payment.
The Minister knows what happened in recent months.
I do.