asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on his talks with the British Minister of Agriculture regarding livestock policy and on any other matter of importance concerning Irish agriculture discussed during his recent visit to London.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discussions with British Minister.
7.
During my meeting with the British Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 18th May, we had a very full and useful discussion on the cattle and beef trade. The aspects covered included the likely levels of Irish supplies of store cattle, fat cattle and carcase beef to Britain this year; the outlook generally for the trade in the British and other markets; and the possibilities for further harmonisation or for other measures in regard to cattle and beef which might be taken by the two countries in their mutual interests. As already announced, Irish and British officials are to meet in Dublin to-morrow when they will further examine these possibilities.
May we take it there are no conclusions as yet from the discussions?
That is right.
Could the Minister say if, apart from advising and exhorting the farmers not to hold their cattle for the back end, he has anything else in mind by way of inducement to get the farmers to sell in the first six months?
No; as Deputy Donegan said, they do not sell cattle that are not ready.
Does the Minister not think it will be possible to induce them to get them ready by guaranteeing a minimum or floor price for cattle in the first six months?
How would this get them to sell them?
It would be an inducement.
Any floor price within reason that the Deputy could name would be less than the market price obtaining for the past three months.
The position is that they never know from year to year.
What has that got to do with getting rid of cattle when the farmers are getting fair prices and the cattle are ready to go?
Has the Minister given any undertaking to the British Minister of Agriculture that he will not operate a headage grant next back end?
No.
Would such an eventuality be a subject at the talks that take place tomorrow?
Such an eventuality has been the subject of talks that have already taken place.
Is the Minister in a position to provide a headage grant?
I am not in a position to provide anything. All I am doing is answering the supplementary as to whether I gave an undertaking, and I have said I have not given such an undertaking.
Could the Minister tell us if he is in a legal position to provide a headage grant under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement?
There are no legalities attaching to this matter.
Could the Minister state if he looked for an increased quota for processed beef when he was discussing matters with the British Minister of Agriculture?
Yes.
In view of the fact that the quota has already failed?
Yes.
Did the Minister have any success?
No.
I am sorry to hear that.
So am I.
Would the Minister now agree that this is tantamount to the subsidy being paid in the wrong direction on beef cattle and it is that that has caused a great deal of the trouble in which the farmers unfortunately find themselves at present?
I have been hearing that.
Does the Minister agree?
Not without a very full examination.
Would the Minister now agree to have this whole position re-examined?
It is being re-examined.
When will we have the result?
As soon as I get it.
Can the Minister state if it is within the power of the British Minister to stop him making a headage grant?
That is a matter the Deputy will have to raise with the British Minister.
The Minister is operating under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement.
That is so, and I am not an expert.
If the Minister is not, he has plenty of people to advise him.
Advice is one thing; interpretation is another.
Surely it is important to be able to tell the farmers now whether or not it will be possible for the Minister to provide a headage grant if prices slump as they did last August?
The fact of the matter is that I do not regard this as being important. What I do regard as very important is whether or not there will be any need for such backing.
Both things are important.
Only in their proper sequence.
Can the Minister do it? He cannot answer.