asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to reports in which the main exporter of live horses for slaughter from this country stated that the trade has been finished by his recent alteration of the regulations; and if he will now amend this recent change, so as to avoid serious loss to the Irish farmer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Horses for Slaughter.
25.
I do not intend to alter the decision already announced in this matter.
Does the Minister not realise this means a minimum loss of £15 per head on horses sold by the Irish farmers, that as a result fewer farm horses will be bred and that if this continues, there will not be a horse in Ireland in ten years?
I do not realise what the present policy, or the day to day policy, of the Fine Gael Party is but in 1953, that Party voted for a motion to prohibit the export of all horses.
Not true.
It is on the records of the House. They voted for the prohibition of the export of all horses at a time when there was no means of processing horses in this country, and now they are concerned about an Order I made altering the age at which horses may be exported from seven years to five years.
A Cheann Comhairle, I am not satisfied with the reply the Minister has given to this question and, with your permission, I intend to raise it on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.