asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will change the system under which very large increases in prices have been sanctioned for cattle and pig meals and introduce a more realistic system.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle and Pig Meal Prices.
1.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will refuse any further increases in the price of cattle and pig meals pending the setting up and report of a commission representative of farming and milling interests.
3.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the price increases likely to occur in cattle and pig meals during the next six months.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive together.
Increases in prices of cattle and pig meals depend on variations in costs of ingredients, of labour and of overheads. The increases in ingredient costs are reviewed quarterly by the National Prices Commission, who recommend price increases only if they are fully justified to compensate for unavoidable cost increases under the headings of cereals and proteins.
Manufacturers' cost increases under the headings of wages and overheads are reviewed periodically by the commission.
I see no purpose in changing the existing system for the review of animal feedstuff prices because, if there are substantial increases in manufacturers' costs, compensatory price increases must be granted to the firms concerned if they are to remain in business. Neither do I see any purpose in establishing a commission on the lines suggested by the Deputy. The National Prices Commission are widely representative of different interests and already have, or can obtain, the necessary expertise to carry out an examination in depth of any price proposals where warranted.
I am unable to say what increases are likely to occur in the prices of feeding stuffs in the next six months, as any such increases would depend on the scale of compounders' cost increases.
Can the Minister say what percentage of the increase is due to the increased VAT that has been imposed.
That is a specific question which I cannot answer offhand. If the Deputy wishes to table a question to that effect, I shall be happy to provide him with the information.