asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of cattle likely to come forward for export either in the form of cattle or beef during the whole of the calendar year of 1967, based on the experience of cattle population and exports in previous years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exports of Cattle.
11.
It is estimated that the number of cattle likely to be available for export in all forms in 1967, should be about 1.1 million to 1.2 million head.
Is the Parliamentary
Secretary in a position to say what relationship that bears to the exports in the previous year and, in the light of that comparison, what is the forecast the price of cattle will be in the autumn?
The basis for the forecast is the increased number of cattle in January of this year. The total number of cattle was 5,149,000 as against 4,945,000 in January 1966. As regards the Deputy's question about prices, I would not be able, and I do not think anybody else would be either, to say what they would be, but we would presume that the price would be at least as good as last year, if not better.
"Good" is scarcely the adjective to use; "disastrous" would be more becoming. In view of the fact that the increased number of cattle is largely due to Deputy Smith's calved heifer scheme which provided for increased numbers of cattle without making appropriate provision for increased markets in which to sell them, perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary would indicate whether the producers who suffered a catastrophe last year are to suffer another catastrophe this year?
The Deputy is well aware that there were extraordinary circumstances in the latter part of last year and these can be taken as exceptional. We do not envisage any recurrence of the same problem.
What were the extraordinary occurrences last year except your own destruction of cattle markets?
(Interruptions.)
——except your own lunacy.
The Common Market agricultural policy was coming into effect.
Is it not still in effect?
Of course it is, but they do not know it.