asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will consider raising the ceiling price of £100 paid by his Department for reactors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price for Reactor Cows.
38.
The maximum limit for non-pedigree reactors under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme was raised from £80 to £100 with effect from 21st June, 1965. I do not consider that there is a need for further revision at the present time.
Would the Minister not agree, in view of his statement that owing to the recent Trade Agreement the price of cattle is likely to be augmented, that £100 is not a realistic price?
These are reactor cattle that go to factories in this country.
Would the Minister not agree that for a 15 cwt. beast, it is not unusual to make £120 on the open market and therefore £100 is not realistic?
The only justification for increasing the price would be if we came across a number of cases where the maximum was inadequate.
Would the Minister not further agree that a farmer who sells his beast to the factory has only one market to sell it, and is therefore at a disadvantage if the ceiling price is £100?
The Deputy, as usual, totally misunderstands the situation. The price paid for reactors is the fair market value.
How can it be? At £8 a cwt. for a 15 cwt. beast, that is £120. How can £100 be fair?
Can the Minister say if this is the ceiling for pedigree cows?
No.