asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he proposes to take any steps to offset the severe financial losses incurred by farmers as a result of the slump in calf prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Calf Prices.
20.
The information available to me indicates that, while calf prices generally in the first three months of this year show a decline as compared with prices in the corresponding period of 1966 and with the exceptionally high figures of early 1965, good quality calves are fetching reasonably satisfactory prices.
Surely the Minister is aware that calves are being sold for as low as 2/6d in parts of the country?
I will give the Deputy a pound apiece on 100 2/6d calves if he will send them up to me.
Surely the Minister is aware good Friesian heifer calves sold in Trim and other markets in Meath recently at £6 and £7 per head, and last year those same calves would have gone from £20 to £26.
Does the Minister endorse the valuation of the Minister for Defence of 22s 6d per calf because, if he does, that is the lowest price, 22s 6d, I ever heard a Minister of State in this country pay for a calf since the Fianna Fáil economic war?
Deputy L'Estrange says he has them for 2s 6d each. I want to see them at 2s 6d; I have not seen them.
Has the Minister for Defence seen them at £2 and £3?
Send them up to me.
Carriage paid.
Will the Minister not agree that calf prices are from £15 to £20 less than they were?
That is what the Minister for Defence is saying, 22s 6d apiece.
Deputy Dillon is trying to do away with the trade of elderly bulls.
Question No. 21.
The only place the Deputy will get halfcrown calves is in the Sunday Independent, if he applies thereto.
Could we forget about the halfcrown calves for a moment? Does the Minister not admit that Friesian bull calves making £20 a year ago can now be bought for £5? I saw a peculiar case the week before last. They were making £10 in a certain market but last week, because there was an influx of calves from the south of Ireland, they were down to £5.
You will find all sorts of prices for all sorts of animals in all sorts of places——
You will find all sorts of animals now because of the Minister's heifer calf scheme.
It is from the gentlemen over there you will get the halfcrown calves.
I have called Question No. 21. Would Deputies please allow the Minister to reply to that question? Order.