asked the Minister for Agriculture if the prices to be paid for Irish pigs and pork exported to Britain will be increased following the higher prices recently announced for home-produced pigs in Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig and Pork Export Prices.
Mr. Walsh
Yes. An announcement will be made as soon as possible in regard to the revised prices receivable by exporters.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the arrangement made whereby Irish pig producers were to be paid 2/6 per score less than the British price for bacon pigs has been altered; and, if so, whether it has been done by the British Ministry of Food on their own initiative or at the request of his Department.
Mr. Walsh
The arrangements made a year ago with the British Ministry of Food in respect of exports of pigs, pork and bacon have not been altered, but they did not provide that the price payable to Irish pig producers would be as stated by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that several companies in England have notified Irish producers and Irish shippers that the British Ministry of Food has an arrangement whereby 2/6 less than the British price is paid for Irish pigs?
Mr. Walsh
Yes. The question of the export of live pigs is bound up in the export of bacon and pork. No special arrangement was made as regards one of the items separately. They were bound up together and there is such an arrangement as 2/6 per score there in order to equalise the price of bacon.
The Minister has said that there is such an arrangement as 2/6 a score. It is 2/6 a score less than the British price.
Mr. Walsh
Yes.
Do I take it from the Minister now that the Minister is putting a levy on pigs exported on foot?
Mr. Walsh
No.
In order to subsidise the export of pork?
Mr. Walsh
No. All money paid the Irish pig producers, whether in the form of bacon, live pigs or pork, is paid by the British Ministry of Food to the Pigs Marketing Board.
The Minister has said that there is a differential of 2/6 per score in the price of Irish pigs as against the price of British-produced pigs.
Mr. Walsh
Yes.
That is the question I asked the Minister. The Minister admits that there is this differential of 2/6, but nevertheless, the price announced by the Minister and the price available for the home producer do not agree; it is much greater than the differential of 2/6 which the Minister admits exists. May I raise this matter on the Adjournment?
I will communicate with the Deputy.