asked the Ministre for Agriculture and Fisheries the likely prospects for the cattle trade during 1968.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Trade Prospects.
8.
So far as can be judged at this stage, the prospects for the cattle trade during 1968 appear reasonably satisfactory. The demand by British feeders for our store cattle should continue to be fairly strong and exports of slaughter cattle, mostly of carcase beef, to Britain should also be at a satisfactory level. The US market for manufacturing beef seems likely to remain good also. Because of the levies and duties applicable to imports of cattle and beef into the EEC area, however, it is not possible to be optimistic about exports to that area.
Total exports of cattle and beef during 1968 are likely to be somewhat below the 1967 level because, of course, last year's exports included some 200,000 extra cattle carried forward from 1966. There is now a healthy tone to the cattle market generally and on the basis of the best information available at present this seems likely to continue during 1968.
Would the Minister agree that if the import of cattle to the United Kingdom from the Argentine is re-opened, it will have a depressing effect on prices here?
I should rather think of it the other way—that if it is not opened, it will have a stimulating effect as it already has had on our exports to the British market.
I hope the Minister is right but I do not know how he arrives at that conclusion.
It has been proving itself over the weeks since imports to Britain were banned.
It will end some time.
I do not know. I cannot tell you about that.