asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state (a) the total amount paid each year for in-calf heifer grants for the years 1964-65, 1965-66, 1966-67 and 1967-68, and (b) the total number of calves of three months old and under exported to (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) Britain and (iii) the Continent for each of the four years; and if he is satisfied that the scheme for increasing the cattle population in the Republic does not suffer as a result of the export of calves of three months old and under.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heifer Grants.
14.
: As the reply is mainly in tabular form, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
Total amount paid each year in grants under Calved Heifer Scheme.
|
£ |
|
|
1964-65 |
3,036,375 |
|
1965-66 |
2,725,560 |
|
1966-67 |
1,888,005 |
|
1967-68 |
1,147,530 |
There are no statistics available as to the export of calves of three months of age and under. The following table shows total calf exports 1964-1967:—
Exports of Calves (male and female)
|
To Britain |
To the Six Counties |
To other countries |
|
|
1964 |
853 |
79 |
Nil |
|
1965 |
869 |
182 |
57 |
|
1966 |
348 |
1,429 |
5,116 |
|
1967 |
257 |
3,513 |
11,726 |
In the same years imports of calves (all from the Six Counties) were:—
|
1964 |
9,630 |
|
1965 |
4,106 |
|
1966 |
4,428 |
|
1967 |
11,559 |
I am satisfied that the net export of calves has had no adverse effect on the country's cattle population.