James Leonard
Question:3 Mr. Leonard asked the Taoiseach the cost per tonne of turkey rations and broiler chicken rations in each of the member states of the EU. [7389/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poultry Feed Prices.
The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. However, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a table showing the most representative series of poultry feed prices for which both Irish and other EU data are available for 1994.
|
IR£ (excl. VAT) |
|
|
Belgium |
226.42 |
|
Greece |
225.31 |
|
Spain |
205.31 |
|
Ireland |
207.13 |
|
Italy |
213.80 |
|
Luxembourg |
267.77 |
|
Netherlands |
176.90 |
|
Finland |
316.65 |
I am disappointed the exact information requested is not available given that similar information was available in the past. The poultry industry is experiencing serious problems mainly due to price differentials arising from the currency crisis. Will the Minister of State intercede with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry to assist the Industry? A report of the poultry meat forum set up to examine aspects of the trade is on the Minister's desk and I ask him to deal with it in the interests of our poultry producers.
I want to assist the Deputy in eliciting information, but the question he tabled is essentially statistical and I cannot assist him in the matter.
The Deputy may have misunderstood me. I have given him information on general poultry feed prices. His question requested information on turkey and broiler chicken ration costs. We do not have separate information in that regard, only information on global poultry prices. Our poultry feed prices are comparatively cheaper than those in Belgium, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and Finland.
Is the Minister aware that we export poultry meat to England and that is where our problem lies?
Matters of currency may not arise now. I am proceeding to questions nominated for priority.