asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the number of bacon pigs which it was estimated would be offered for sale in each of the six months ending September 30th, 1942, and the number of such pigs actually offered for sale to the bacon curers in each of these months; if he will state further whether supplementary quotas were issued during the six months in question; and, if so, to which factories such quotas were issued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quota of Pigs for Bacon Factories.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the quota or number of bacon pigs which the quota-fixing authority estimated would be offered for sale in each of the six months ending 30th September, 1942; (b) the actual number of pigs secured by bacon factories during each of these months; (c) whether supplementary quotas were issued during the six months in question; and, if so, to which factories were these supplementary quotas issued.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together as they relate to the same subject.
The information in regard to the estimated weight of pigs available and the actual weight of pigs supplied to factories in each of the six months ended 30th September is given in the form of a tabular statement which will be circulated with the Official Report.
The estimated weights of pigs for April, May and June include supplementary quotas. Such quotas when issued were issued to all bacon curers. While there is an apparent discrepancy between estimated weights and the actual weights received at bacon factories, it will be appreciated that illegal curing was being done to a considerable extent during the period in question and also that pork butchers were free to take as many pigs as they could dispose of in the form of pork. As the Deputies are no doubt aware steps have been taken to suppress illegal curing and to limit the number of pigs purchased by pork butchers.
Following is the tabular statement referred to:—
|
1942 |
Estimated Weight of Pigs Available |
Actual Weight of Pigs Supplied to Factories |
|
April |
39,000 |
39,763 |
|
May |
42,000 |
34,887 |
|
June |
42,000 |
36,078 |
|
July |
35,000 |
26,751 |
|
August |
35,000 |
21,634 |
|
September |
33,000 |
23,205 |
Can the Minister give any information as regards the actual allocations of the supplementary quotas to the different factories, with the names of the factories to which these supplementary quotas were given?
I have said in my reply that any supplementary quota that was issued was issued to all the factories on a pro rata basis. I do not know if I am entitled, under the legislation passed here, to give the quotas allocated to individual factories. If the Deputy feels that any particular factory has a grievance in the matter, I am prepared to look into it.