andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement concerning the future prospects for wool producers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool Production Prospects.
20.
Prices cannot be predicted with any accuracy so far in advance of the buying season. The best prospect for producers lies in the proper presentation of wool within the framework provided by the Wool Marketing Act, 1968.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that last year most of our producers sold wool for 10p a lb and that this year it is being sold for 15p a lb? Surely the Department should have some control over the price of wool. Such prices are scandalous. In fact, if one had bad wool producing sheep he would be better off buying the wool.
I would like to point out to the Deputy that as much as 80 per cent of the Irish clip is exported and as a result price changes here would reflect whatever changes take place on the world market. The Deputy will be aware that for many years competition with man-made fibres has depressed the world wool market.
Would not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that there is a better case to be made for subsidising wool rather than subsidising ewe hoggets?
For the Deputy's information I can tell him that there are indications that during the coming year the wool trade will be improved somewhat and that the tendency on the world market is towards increasing prices.
An improvement will not result from any act of the Department.