asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the serious decline in pig production in the Republic; and what steps he proposes to take so as to safeguard the interests of all concerned in this valuable industry.
23.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Production.
22.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to the comment of the Chairman of the Pigs and Bacon Commission in relation to the drop in pig production; and what steps he proposes to take to rectify this urgent problem, as the loss of valuable export markets for bacon could mean serious financial loss to farmers and to the country in general.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
Not only has there not been a serious decline in pig production but production has in fact expanded significantly this year. Deliveries of pigs to bacon factories from the beginning of the year to 26th October totalled 1,344,000 compared with 1,183,000 in the corresponding period of 1967. The upward trend will be further encouraged by the comprehensive measures to assist pig production which were provided for in this year's Budget.
The comment of the Chairman of the Pigs and Bacon Commission, to which Deputy Flanagan refers, appears in the Commission's report for 1967 and, of course, refers to conditions in that year.
Can the Minister explain why we are unable to fill our bacon quotas for Britain at present? Is the Minister aware that there is a scare in Britain amongst the merchants and distributors handling Irish bacon there that it will not be available in sufficient quantities to meet the needs?
We have recognised this and have taken steps accordingly. The first results, though rather slow in coming to hand, are now evident in the deliveries this year. As I indicated in my reply, they have risen, from the corresponding period in 1967, from 1,183,000 delivered to a figure of 1,344,000 which, in the circumstances, was a fairly significant increase and already is only the forerunner of a greater and steeper increase.
What percentage of the total deliveries is accounted for by the smuggling of pigs?
There is a Question on that.