asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the severe disappointment and financial loss caused to many farmers throughout Sligo and Leitrim who attended the annual wool fair in Sligo on July 4th on discovering that there were no buyers; and what steps he is taking to establish a stable market and satisfactory prices for wool producers in the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo Wool Fair.
18.
I understand that only a small quantity of wool was on offer at this fair. The great bulk of our wool is exported and the price is, therefore, strongly influenced by conditions on world markets. I expect, however, that the full implementation of the Wool Marketing Act, 1968, will be a great help in ensuring that our producers get the best possible return.
Is the Minister aware that this has been an annual fair for many years and is he aware that, because of the new regulations, many of those who used to buy wool have ceased to do so? Is he further aware that people travelled 40 miles on a miserable morning with tractors and motor cars to offer wool at this annual sale and that the Department made no attempt to provide buyers, having ensured that those who wished to buy wool could not do so?
I am aware that this is a traditional fair. The real reason why no business was done was that no buyers attended. I am informed the supply of wool on offer was very, very small indeed and that was the principal reason why no buyers attended. It may be that this is a traditional fair which is losing its appeal.
Regardless of what the supply was, the people came a journey of 40 miles——
Would the Deputy put a question?
——to this annual market and, as a result of the buyers having been put off the market, they could not sell their wool——
We cannot have a debate on this question.
——and I think the Minister should make some provision for the people who came from as far away as Sligo and Leitrim. I would ask him to make some statement so that they will know where to go with their wool.
It is difficult to accept that there was a mass exodus of people from 40 miles away with supplies of wool to this particular fair. It all added up to 8,000 lbs. Either supplies were very small or the number of people who bought was exceedingly small. It is either one or the other. No buyer attended and that is the reason why the sale was unsatisfactory.