asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state how, having regard to the very low figure of factory killings of pigs and the difficulty of transport, the fixation of factory quotas can be justified; and whether, in view of the fact that the fixation of prices and control of the industry could be operated by his Department, he will consider introducing legislation for the purpose of altering and reducing the control and personnel of the Pigs and Bacon Commission.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Killing Quotas.
The factory quota system was introduced to secure as equitable distribution as possible of the available supplies of pigs amongst bacon factories.
Having regard, however, to the present low killings and the need for ensuring economy in transport as well as the disappointment amongst producers in certain areas resulting from inability to dispose of their pigs at the local factory, the present system of marketing pigs is being reviewed.
Could the Minister say when he will be in a position to announce the results?
I think in the very near future.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that in recent weeks the Pigs and Bacon Commission increased by 50 per cent. the nominal quota of pigs allocated to each curer; whether he is aware that during the last 12 months curers in the South of Ireland were unable at any time to obtain enough pigs to fill the quotas already applicable to them; whether he is also aware that, in the absence of increased pig production, the revised quotas now in force will merely divert from southern curers, who are already short of their requirements, to other curers who could obtain supplies in excess of their former quotas a substantial portion of the existing supply of pigs which, but for the revised quotas, would reach the southern curers; whether he is aware that the new quotas will therefore have the effect of throwing out of work a large proportion of the workers engaged in bacon curing; and whether, in the circumstances, he will state the grounds on which the commission decided to issue the new quota orders, and on what advice they acted in doing so.
I am aware that the production quotas for bacon factories were increased during the month of October as indicated by the Deputy. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to the previous question by Deputy Hughes. The production quotas were altered during October as a temporary measure pending a review of the position.
Is the Minister aware that in giving that increased quota he is depriving some of the southern curers of their normal quota of pigs and creating a rather serious position for some of the curers in Cork?
It had the effect, of course, of leaving the pigs in the area where they were produced rather than sending them on to Cork.
That is what the southern curers complain of. They only want an equitable distribution of the pigs available.