asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (a) the present position regarding bacon factories; (b) the number closed at present; and (c) what action is being taken by his Department to meet standards which will be necessary on entry to the EEC and which are necessary to export to England at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bacon Factories.
54.
There are 37 licensed bacon factories as compared with 40, five years ago. Pig slaughterings at the factories have increased substantially over this period. Three licensed bacon factories are not fully operative—one has not slaughtered pigs for almost two years; the second has not exported pigmeat for nearly a year and only slaughters small numbers of pork pigs for a local trade; the third is being replaced by a new plant now nearing completion and is at present only processing a limited number of pigs for the home trade. There have been sustained efforts by my Department over recent years, through visits to factories, discussions and correspondence with managements with a view to raising bacon factory standards generally. Discussions have recently been taking place between the Bacon Curers' Society, the Pigs and Bacon Commission and my Department about proposals by the society for rationalisation of the curing industry.
Is the Minister satisfied that our factories are up to European standards and that we will be allowed to export to the EEC countries under present conditions?
That question is being examined at present as I stated in my reply. Some of the factories are up to first class standard but the standards of others leave something to be desired.
Surely the Minister recognises that this is a matter of urgency——
I do.
——and that it is necessary in the interests of the farmers and the interests of the nation? Is the Minister satisfied that the Department are doing their part and that the bacon curers in return are doing their share?
It is for this reason that discussions are taking place at the moment between the various interests concerned to raise the general standard of the bacon handling establishments and to rationalise them as much as possible.
Is the Minister aware of the plan put forward by the cooperative movement in relation to taking units out of production by way of subvention?
I am aware that the curers' association have that scheme.
55.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the total amount of Government grants, loans or other moneys paid to two bacon factories now closed (details supplied); and what follow-up inspections were made by inspectors or officials of his Department to see that the money was spent properly and that the factories were working efficiently.
Under the limited temporary scheme of grants for modernisation works at bacon factories which was operated in connection with the First Programme for Economic Expansion, the total amounts of grants paid to the two factories in question were £35,000 and £28,718. Payment of grants under the scheme followed certification in each case by officers of my Department that the works approved for grant had been carried out and were functioning satisfactorily.
Is it not true that two factories closed down and that British officials visited this country and examined them? Why did not our own officials report to the effect that they were not working efficiently and that they were not up to the proper standard of cleanliness and hygiene?
In the case of one of the factories concerned it was totally British owned and the reasons for its closing were totally domestic and economic. In the case of the other factory the old plant is being replaced by new plant and it should be in operation in the autumn of this year.
And the Deputy is well aware of that fact.
In the meantime this plant is handling slaughterings for the home market. It is not suitable at the moment for the export trade. This situation will change within months because the new plant is almost ready to go into action.
Why was it that English inspectors had to come over here to find out the condition of that factory? Why did not our own officials report on it and see that it was brought up to a proper standard of hygiene, cleanliness and efficiency?
As I told the Deputy in answer to a previous question, the exhortations from my Department to the industry have been continuous and persistent and they are showing some results as the existence of a conference on this subject at present shows.
Is the Minister satisfied with those results because many people are not?
I should like to see the industry being rationalised at a faster rate.