asked the Minister for Agriculture, in view of the decline in cattle numbers in the June 1984 livestock census, the steps he proposes to take to improve this situation.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Numbers.
11.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he considers that the revelation contained in the recent Agricultural Institute survey that only 22.9 per cent of farmers regard market prospects for beef as being the best in 1984, as compared with 24.4 per cent in 1983, is surprising in view of the optimistic forecasts of growth in beef production as milk is curbed by the levy; and if he considers it desirable to redouble his efforts to inform the farming community of the necessity to build up the beef cow herd, and to provide the appropriate incentives now.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
The Government's policy for increasing cattle numbers and promoting development in the agriculture sector in general was set out in the national economic and social plan, Building on Reality, which recognised that the main emphasis for future development in agriculture must be on the beef sector. To support such development the Government are making a sum of £11 million available in the year commencing 1 January 1986 to increase the headage grants on beef cows under the disadvantaged areas scheme from the present level of £32 to £70 per cow. This substantial increase provides a worthwhile incentive to producers in the disadvantaged areas, where over three-quarters of beef cow herds in the country are located, to take the appropriate steps to increase beef cow numbers.
Would the Minister agree that in the 1984 livestock census the total number of cattle was reduced to 6.75 million, the lowest since 1974? Would he agree also that all the indications are of a continuing decline, because we had a 1.8 per cent decrease in calf numbers or 44,000 in-calf heifers fewer? Would he not agree that in those figures everything points to a continuing decline in cattle numbers over the next year?
I would not agree. I do not know from where the Deputy is getting his statistics.
From CBF.
His figures for 1984 are not correct. The total number of cattle in the State in 1984 was 6,759,000.
As I said, 6.75 million.
The total in 1982 was 6,688,000, a lesser number, and the figure in 1981 was 6,696,000. Therefore, in both those years the number was less. The Deputy's statistics as quoted were not correct.
The Minister stated that three-quarters of the beef cow herds in the country were located in the disadvantaged areas. That in itself does not indicate the number of beef cows in the national herd. Has he any figures for the number of beef cow herds on his file?
I have not got the figure for that on the file. I appreciate the point the Deputy makes and what he says is true and I would not argue with it. Going back to Deputy Leonard's question, I am not avoiding the fact that there was a slight decrease last year in the overall number of cattle in the country in comparison with 1983. The numbers last year fell 0.2 per cent from 6,770,000 to 6,760,000, a very minor drop, but nevertheless it was a drop. The Deputy is right, but it is still an increase over 1982 and 1981.
I would be very interested if the Minister could tell us where he is going to get the extra cattle, seeing that it takes a cow or a heifer to produce a calf and that there was a 44,000 reduction, 1.8 per cent, in the heifer numbers. You do not grow cows; you grow heifers at first and they grow into cows. Where is the Minister to get the extra numbers? Will he explain?
I am thankful to the Deputy for his lesson on the cycle in the cattle trade. I have already pointed out that we are giving an additional £11 million next year.
(Interruptions.)
All these lessons, lectures and arguments were not contemplated by the man who drew up Standing Orders.
It is a very serious matter for the economy.
(Limerick West): Further to what Deputy Leonard has said, is the Minister aware that, with the introduction of the increase in the grants to increase the cow numbers in the disadvantaged areas in 1986, the allocation by him of £11 million, it will take some time to bring up our cow numbers? Would the Minister consider extending that increase beyond disadvantaged areas? This is a positive suggestion to bring up our cow numbers much faster, which is important for the whole economy.
I would dearly love to do that but to get the money is another day's work. I do not see a great possibility of getting it, because £11 million is a great deal of extra money to get. Let me point out in respect of the number of cows in the country that, whereas the cattle numbers have fluctuated slightly, there has been a constant increase in the number of cows and the number of cows in the country in 1984 was higher than the number in any previous year in recent times.
Firstly, as regards the £11 million, are there any restrictions on the small farmers, particularly those who have off farm incomes, vis-à-vis these grants? Secondly, would the Minister accept that his, his Government's and his Department's failure to ensure that the AI subsidy was available this year will have a detrimental effect in promoting not alone the quality of cattle but also the numbers of beef cattle? Would he agree that the fact that we have such a problem with the super-levy situation means that a major opportunity has been lost in promoting the beef trade——
That is not a question; that is a comment.
——by the abolition of the AI subsidy?
That is a range of different questions which do not necessarily relate to this question. As regards the off farm income, I presume the arrangements will be the same because there has not been any announcement to the contrary. As regards the AI subsidy, we cannot continue subsidies forever.
In a crisis we need to promote an alternative——
We have removed subsidies and I do not make any bones about it. We cannot expect subsidies to continue forever.
We cannot promote beef production if the best beef breeds are not available.