asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the prices fixed by the British Food Controller for beef and lamb from Eire do not cover the farmers' cost of production; and, if so, whether he will make representation in this matter to the British Government and endeavour to secure an increased price, at least sufficient to cover the cost of production here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Prices for Beef and Lamb.
Representations have been made to the British Ministry of Food in regard to the payment of increased prices for beef, mutton and lamb but, I regret to say, without success. I agree that the prices fixed are unsatisfactory for producers, particularly in the case of producers of stall-fed cattle.
Is the Minister aware of the low price fixed for fat cattle in the autumn? Is he also aware that the price in early spring, from January until May, is uneconomic? Farmers will not keep stall-fed cattle. If they do not, the pig industry is gone—as you people said "for ever, thank God". If there is no farmyard manure available how can the Government or anybody else expect people to till their land or, if they do till, what will be the cost of production and what will be the yield? I see that the price of lamb from the 24th August is 12½d. per lb. That is the time of the year when a big number of lambs come up from the lambing districts. They will not average 30 lbs. a lamb. The overhead charges will be 10/- per lamb and that will leave the producer with 8½d. per lb. It is very funny when you are not feeling the effects of it. People were asked and people volunteered to till their land, but in many cases the land is starved for want of artificials. It is all very well to laugh and talk here.
This is question time.
I would like to ask the Minister were any producer interests consulted before representations were made on this subject?
I think so. Yes, the cattle trade were consulted.