asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what trade he expects for fat or store cattle for Holland, France or other Continental countries in the early months of the New Year; and if he will state the numbers of fat and store cattle exported to date to these countries (a) by the Irish Red Cross Society, and (b) purchased by the importing country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Exports to the Continent.
I am not in a position to state how many fat or store cattle will be exported to the Continent in the early months of the New Year, but so far as I know the exports are not likely to be large.
Since the end of the war in Europe 2,716 fat cattle have been exported to Belgium, 2,683 to Holland and 192 to France. The cattle which went to Belgium and France were purchased by those countries; the cattle sent to Holland were purchased by my Department under the Government's Scheme for the Relief of Distress in Europe. No cattle have been exported by the Irish Red Cross Society.
Is the Minister aware that there is a rumour amongst cattle dealers and the cattle trade generally that Dutch representatives intend to buy early in the new year about 6,000 cattle?
No, I was not aware of that.
Is there any foundation for that rumour?
I do not think so. I think the Deputy will agree that it would not be easy to get 6,000 fat cattle in this country after Christmas.
Not necessarily fat cattle.
We are only dealing with fat cattle.
The question refers to fat and store cattle.
I should have said that, so far, only fat cattle have gone to these countries.
The Minister has no information as to what the Dutch representatives intend to purchase?
I have no information that they are looking for store cattle anyway.
Has the Minister any information about fat cattle?
I gave the Deputy the particulars with regard to the fat cattle.
That is what happened in the past. But what will happen in the future? Could the Minister give any definite information?
I told the Deputy that the exports of fat cattle are not likely to be large after Christmas.