asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what price it is proposed to pay producers for turkeys during the coming Christmas season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price for Turkeys.
Mr. Walsh
Producers should receive from buyers a price of 3/6 per lb., live weight, for well-fleshed turkeys marketed by them during the coming Christmas season.
Is the Minister aware that costs of production generally this year are higher than they were in previous years and that a price at least equal to that obtaining last year is expected by the producers?
Mr. Walsh
Yes, I am so aware but the position is that this year we have considerably more turkeys than we had last year. The turkey population has increased by from 20 to 25 per cent. as compared with last year and there is also an increase of 30 per cent. in the turkey population of England. Last year we sent out over 4,000 tons of turkey and it is estimated that this year we will be sending out 5,000 tons. We have to take cognisance of the fact that we are putting the turkeys into a market that has much more turkeys this year than last year and the best price that we can hope to obtain there is the best price that is paid by the English consumer. Our information is that that price will drop this year by at least 7d. per lb. That is the reason why we have to fix a price of 3/6 a lb.
A 12½ per cent. reduction.
Have inquiries been made with a view to obtaining any alternative market?
Mr. Walsh
There is no alternative market. The position is that other countries are trying to get into the British market.
The Minister mentioned that it is because of the increase in the number of turkeys that the price has been reduced. The Minister is consistently preaching production. In view of that fact and having regard to the wave of discontent that will follow this reduction of 6d. per lb. and having regard to the greatly increased cost of feeding stuffs, will the Minister take steps to subsidise the price so as to bring it at least to the level of last year's price?
No word about the consumer now.
In reply to the so-called Minister for Local Government——
Order! Question No. 64.