asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, in respect of each country and for each month from 1st October, 1946, to date, the number of cattle exported to continental countries, distinguishing between the numbers sent under relief schemes and those purchased by the importing countries; and if he will give the approximate numbers it is anticipated will be exported monthly for the next three months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Cattle.
With your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, the information asked for in the first part of the Deputy's question is being furnished in a tabular statement which will be circulated with the Official Report.
Owing to the uncertainty of shipping arrangements it is not possible to state, even approximately, the numbers of cattle which will be exported monthly during the next three months, but the total number to be shipped alive to the Continent in that period is not likely to exceed 3,500. In addition, it may be possible, if suitable arrangements can be made, to export to the Continent during the next three months under the Government's relief scheme the equivalent of some 15,000 to 20,000 cattle in the form of canned meat.
The following are the particulars asked for in the first part of the question:—
|
Importing Country |
Month in which export took place |
Number supplied under Relief Scheme |
Number purchased by Importing Country |
|
Austria |
October, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
November, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
|
December, 1946 |
2,000 (a) |
— |
|
|
January (1st to 25th), 1947 |
— |
— |
|
|
Belgium |
October, 1946 |
— |
1,057 |
|
November, 1946 |
— |
1,148 |
|
|
December, 1946 |
— |
1,527 |
|
|
January (1st to 25th), 1947 |
— |
1,956 |
|
|
France |
October, 1946 |
— |
715 |
|
November, 1946 |
— |
480 |
|
|
December, 1946 |
— |
718 |
|
|
January (1st to 25th), 1947 |
— |
478 |
|
|
Germany |
October, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
(American Zone) |
November, 1946 |
197 |
— |
|
December, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
|
January (1st to 25th), 1947 |
230 |
— |
|
|
Germany |
October, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
(British Zone) |
November, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
December, 1946 |
2,000 (a) |
— |
|
|
January (1st to 25th), 1947 |
— |
— |
|
|
Holland |
October, 1946 |
— |
2,072 |
|
November, 1946 |
— |
1,250 |
|
|
December, 1946 |
— |
2,098 |
|
|
January (1st to 25th), 1947 |
— |
1,532 |
|
|
Hungary |
October, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
November, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
|
December, 1946 |
2,000 (a) |
— |
|
|
January (1st to 25th), 1947 |
— |
— |
|
|
Poland |
October, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
November, 1946 |
— |
— |
|
|
December, 1946 |
1,550 (b) |
— |
|
|
January (1st to 25th), 1947 |
— |
— |
|
|
(a) These cattle (6,000 in all) were shipped to the British Ministry of Food who supplied an equivalent allocation of frozen meat to each of the three areas indicated. |
|||
|
(b) Supplied in the form of frozen meat. |
Can the Minister say if the demand for continental purposes will be maintained? The Minister will appreciate that, if the demand from the continent fall off now, it might have a bad reaction on winter feeding. It is very important that the demand that has been there for the past six or seven weeks will be maintained right through the feeding period.
There is no doubt there will be a demand.