asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that poultry dealers in County Clare have been buying cockerels and hens at threepence and fourpence per lb., respectively, below the minimum prices fixed by his Department, and that complaints on the subject sent in as requested by him have not been acknowledged; and, if so, what action he intends to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poultry Prices.
Prices for poultry to the producers are not controlled, but buyers are expected to pay producers, for good quality poultry, prices which bear a definite and reasonable relation to the prices received by the exporters. I have indicated by advertisements and Press announcements the prices which producers should expect to receive from buyers for cockerels and hens of good quality. Poultry keepers should refuse to sell to buyers who do not offer them a fair price.
With regard to the latter part of the question. I have ascertained that, although formal acknowledgments were not sent to some of the complainants, an investigation was made promptly in each case by a local officer of my Department, who either visited the complainant and explained the position as I have explained it to the Deputy, or interviewed the buyer against whom the complaint was made.
Is the Minister aware that certain of my constituents who have written to his Department, as advised by him some time ago, have failed to receive even a formal acknowledgment of their letters? Furthermore, I would like to know from the Minister what redress, if any, poultry producers have when they offer their poultry for sale to a buyer who refuses to give them the advertised price?
If the Deputy would be kind enough to send me particulars of any correspondence which was addressed to my Department and remained unacknowledged, I shall have the matter promptly investigated and suitable expressions of regret will issue. The method of relief provided is that we have asked Castlemahon Co-operative Society to have a buyer in attendance at Limerick market. We are also licensing buyers in Tralee. If there are any other reliable people who are prepared to engage in the poultry trade and provide facilities for it we shall be most happy to help them and to put them into competition with those undesirable persons who have taken an unfair advantage of poultry producers and deprived the producers of their proper price.