asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will give full particulars of the agreement regarding Irish pork and bacon recently negotiated with the British Ministry of Food, indicating the price to be paid by (1) the British Ministry of Food for (a) Irish pork and (b) Irish bacon, and (2) the Pigs and Bacon Commission to the Irish bacon and pig exporters, including bonuses, if any; and, further, if he will indicate how long this agreement will continue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Agreement.
It is not the practice to publish details of price agreements with the British Ministry of Food, but in any event an agreement has not recently been negotiated as there is already an agreement which is expressed to operate until 1956.
As regards the prices payable by the Ministry of Food for Irish pork and bacon under the current agreement, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on the subject by Deputy Lehane on 5th June, 1952. The schedule of prices at present receivable by Irish exporters from the Pigs and Bacon Commission for exports of pork carcases to the Ministry of Food was published on 17th September last, and a revised price schedule, which comes into operation on 9th November, waspublished on 30th October. I am sending the Deputies copies of these price schedules and also details of the prices receivable by Irish exporters from the commission for exports of bacon to the Ministry.