asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has seen a reference to the difficulty of selling Irish store cattle on the British market; and if he has any suggestion to meet this difficulty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Cattle on British Market.
40.
I have seen a recent newspaper article on this subject.
Exports of store cattle to Britain this year have been affected by a number of factors, including the bad weather and the poor feed supply position in the early part of the year and more recently the British seamen's strike. The fodder position has now become satisfactory and, given normal shipping services, an improvement in store exports may be expected.
A number of measures have been taken in recent times or are at present in hands to develop the store cattle trade. These include (a) the substantial reduction, in accordance with the Free Trade Area Agreement, in the waiting period during which Irish store cattle have to be held on British farms before qualifying for the British fatstock guarantee payments, (b) the appointment by me of a Study Group to examine all aspects of the store trade and make recommendations, (c) exhibits of Irish store cattle at shows in Britain including the Bath and West Show earlier this month and Royal Agricultural Society of England Show and the Great Yorkshire Show next month, (d) advertising campaigns in the British agricultural Press, to the cost of which my Department is contributing.