asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when he expects that the farm prices policy for 1974 will be finalised.
19.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Prices.
18.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a comprehensive statement on the present position in regard to the EEC Commission proposals on the fixing of agricultural prices for 1974-75.
20.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the suggestion or proposal of a Community-wide producer levy to underwrite some of the butter excess in the EEC.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19 and 20 together.
The commission's proposals on agricultural prices for 1974-75 and certain associated proposals on some of the common agricultural policy arrangements were presented to the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 21st and 22nd January and were the subject of a preliminary exchange of views by Ministers. The council agreed to discuss the proposals more fully on 11th and 12th February and again at a special meeting commencing on 18th February, when it is hoped that a final decision will be made. A copy of the commission's proposals is in the Dáil Library.
I do not consider that it would be in the country's best interest to disclose my negotiating position on the various matters covered by the proposals in advance of full discussion of them in the council. As regards the proposal to apply levies on milk and butter production, I have already made it quite clear at meetings of the council that I am completely opposed to such levies not only in principle but because, in my opinion, their introduction is not warranted by the present or prospective state of the market for dairy products.
Question No. 21.
I understand that you are in a hurry, Sir, but you should not be in that much of a hurry if I may suggest that to you.
I did not think the Deputy was offering.
Can the Minister tell us what percentage increase he would hope to get for cattle prices? Could we have indication from him as to whether we might have a 10 per cent increase, or maybe better, because at this stage, as the Minister probably realises, those involved in the cattle trade would need something to boost their morale if not their pockets?
The people involved in the cattle trade are very shrewd and they are able to keep their eye on indicators themselves. It would be wrong for me to indicate a figure at this stage. It would be no help to the country. I do not think the time has arrived for me, as the person negotiating on behalf of Ireland, to say exactly what I would be prepared to take. It depends on what is in the package generally.
I accept what the Minister has said. Another worry I have in this area is: how soon can we expect action? How soon can we expect a decision? If the Minister will cast his mind back to last year he will remember that we were about six weeks late in getting a decision.
Two months.
That cost us a lot of money. The Minister was quoted in one of the papers as saying that a month's delay would cost us——
Could we avoid quotations?
——about £3 million or £4 million. I would hope that we could have a decision as speedily as possible.
The Deputy can take it that I am as anxious as he is to get an early decision. It is still hoped to get a decision that the new prices for milk and beef could be implemented as from 1st March. The British election has queered the pitch somewhat, but we still hope that will be possible.
While appreciating the Minister's position pending the outcome of the discussions and arrangements, if and when the price arrangements and policies have been fixed will the Minister consider advising farmers generally as to what lines it would be better for them to follow and those they should not in the light of the out-turn of those negotiations?
I feel that farmers do not require an awful lot of advice about these things. They know what their position is relative to profit and loss at the moment. When they get increases in the prices of the various products they will be able to estimate the new position for themselves.
That is very unhelpful.
Am I right in understanding from the Minister that the commission have now withdrawn the levy to underwrite the butter excess? Have they proposed to withdraw it?
No.
Not yet. The Minister hopes that they will?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that in parts of the country traditionally March is the time when spring cattle are bought and sold and will he try to have a decision reached before that period because farmers will have to sell at the traditional sales? They cannot hold their cattle and financially they need to sell them at that time.
The Minister is trying very hard.