asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the adjustment of live-stock prices in Great Britain equivalent to an overall average increase of 3/- per cwt. in the price of steers, heifers and cow-heifers, as from the 1st July next, he will state what efforts he has made to secure, for Irish fat cattle, prices more compatible with British prices ruling as from 1st July next.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Live-Stock Prices.
Appropriate representations continue to be made to have the prices fixed by the British Ministry of Food for Irish fat cattle brought more into line with those fixed for fat cattle produced in Britain.
Will the Minister say when it was made?
What?
When the representations were made.
Last week.
And he got no reply.
That was the last time they were made.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in relation to British fixed prices for fat cattle (a) the scale of prices at present in operation for British home-produced cattle and the scale of prices to come into operation on 1st July next; (b) the corresponding figures for Irish cattle two months in Great Britain; and (c) the corresponding figures for Irish cattle for immediate slaughter.
The scale of prices payable by the British Ministry of Food during the current season, i.e., year ending 30th June, 1946, for British home-produced cattle ranges from 84/6 per live cwt. for animals of super-special grade killing out at 59 per cent. and over, to 52/- per live cwt. for animals killing out at 50 per cent. The prices vary according to the season, the period of lowest prices being from the 1st October to the 11th November and the period of highest prices being from the 3rd June to the 30th June.
According to a recent announcement by the British Departments concerned, the prices for the different grades of British produced cattle will be increased for the 12 months beginning 1st July, 1946, by amounts varying from 4/- per live cwt. in case of animals with a killing-out percentage of 59 to 2/-per live cwt. in case of animals with a killing-out percentage of 52.
For the current period the prices of imported cattle sold for slaughter after being two months in the United Kingdom were fixed at 5/- per live cwt. less than the prices of British produced animals of corresponding grades and classes. Inquiries have been instituted in regard to the differential for the period commencing on the 1st July next.
For Irish fat cattle imported into Great Britain during the current period for immediate slaughter the prices per lb. dressed carcase weight vary according to quality and time of sale, the extremes being 7d. for B quality cows and cow heifers from 8th October to 18th November, 1945, and 12½d. for A quality steers and heifers from 3rd to 30th June, 1946. No announcement has yet been made as to the corresponding prices which will be paid from July, 1946.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware of the growing demand from British farmers and British representatives in the cattle trade to have that differential removed and has the Minister made any contact with the representatives of British farmers, either himself personally or through his representatives at the Dublin Cattle Market; and will he tell us what he intends to do to try to have prices equalised, specially for store cattle which have to make a two-months stay in England? Does he realise that the position is now favourable and that we are selling in a seller's market and that for that reason every effort should be made by him to have that differential removed and to make use of the people who are anxious — the farmers on the other side who are buying Irish stores — to have that differential removed?
I think some farmers on the other side are anxious for that differential to be removed but I do not know what volume of the farming community is behind that demand.
What is the Minister going to do about it?
I cannot do anything more.
Does it mean we are going to make no effort to secure the best price for our cattle on the other side?
We have made every effort.
The Minister has not told us what he has done about it.