asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number and value of young cattle exported to Italy to date; and if such exports to Italy are likely to continue at profitable prices to the Irish producers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Exports.
20.
Since commencing in December last, exports of young cattle to Italy have numbered about 3,000 animals, to a total value of about £120,000.
It is still too early to attempt to predict the future of this trade but there are grounds for thinking that it should continue.
21.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the present position in relation to the export of 2,000 cattle to Germany.
The necessary official import facilities have been opened and price negotiations for supply of the cattle have been going on between a German purchasing firm and an Irish firm of cattle exporters. The arrangements have I understand not yet been completed.
The Minister is aware that his predecessor in office assured the House that the cattle would be exported before 1st December, 1966. Can the Minister tell us if any of the cattle have been exported? His predecessor assured the House on many occasions——
I take it the Deputy is afraid some of them may have been exported.
I believe they are being exported at the rate of about 100 bulls per week because the price is so low.
If that is so, I hope we shall have less of it from that side of the House.
It was announced in the House by the Minister's predecessor that a remarkable transaction had been completed between this country and the Federal Republic of Germany, providing for the export of 2,000 Irish fat cattle. It then transpired this was an arrangement with Eastern Germany. Is it true that the export of these cattle, referred to by the Minister for Agriculture at the time as Irish fat cattle, is now proceeding on the basis of 100 elderly bulls each month? This Minister knows the answer to that. Is it not true that this quota is being filled by the piecemeal export of 100 elderly bulls——
It is almost as much bull as the Deputy is giving us.
Is it not true?
Question No. 22.
I wish to say something on this. The fact is that as of this moment this quota is not being filled by any sort of animal whatsoever. I wish to say also for the benefit of the Deputy, who is not quite up to date, that in so far as my predecessor is concerned with regard to this matter, from the beginning right up to when I took over, the fact that these cattle have not gone out of the country has not been, I can assure the House, due to any fault of my predecessor or the deal he had at that time. I cannot give the details because it would not be conducive to our getting——
The former Minister for Agriculture should not have assured the House that the cattle would have been exported before 1st December last.
It was done in good faith and my predecessor should be commended rather than criticised for having told the House at the time.