asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a comprehensive statement on the present serious condition of the cattle trade; and if he has any guidance to offer stock-feeders for the future.
32.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Livestock Industry.
31.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the drop in livestock prices in County Donegal which, coupled with the steep price rise in animal feeding stuffs, has caused a serious problem for the farming community; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
33.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the fact that some farmers are selling cattle bought between April and October, 1973, and are losing money on them, he has made any proposals to the EEC Commission to obtain higher prices for cattle.
34.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the depressed state of the beef and store cattle trade and the prospects for 1974.
35.
Mr. Collins
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the current beef market situation in the EEC.
36.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will indicate how a glut of beef has arisen so quickly in the EEC in view of the fact that there was a shortage this time last year and that it takes time to increase beef stocks.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 to 36 together.
I am not, of course, happy about the present weakened position in the cattle and beef market. Slow consumer demand for beef on our export markets, coinciding with substantially increased seasonal supplies brought about weak conditions in the Community beef market during recent months.
I joined with the French and Italian Ministers in having a special meeting of the EEC Council of Ministers called on 14th January to discuss the situation. Among the measures adopted as a result of that meeting were the extension of export restitutions to certain categories of fresh, chilled or frozen beef, including those which Ireland exports to third countries. A special refund on Irish exports of beef to the United States was granted to cancel out the monetary compensatory export charge on these exports. Other measures adopted as a result of the special ministerial discussions on beef were a widening of the scope of permanent intervention buying and the introduction of arrangements for Community aid to the private commercial beef storage.
It is hoped that these measures will have the effect of strengthening beef prices in the Community generally. This upward trend is now becoming noticeable. I have every confidence in the future outlook for the cattle and beef trade but I recognise that producers have short-term problems, especially as regards feed, in continuing to hold cattle for which exceptionally high prices were paid in the early part of 1973.
On a point of order, the Minister has answered a group of very important questions here together. It is now 4 o'clock, Sir.
I will be liberal; I will be as generous as possible with Deputies who may have personal questions to raise.
That is fair enough. The Minister, in the course of his reply, mentioned the £57 export rebate which he got for us.
Has the Minister concluded his remarks?
The Minister has finished.
I would like to know from the Minister, first of all, what action he has taken, bar making loud noises, to see that this £57 has been passed on to the farmers.
As a matter of fact, I made the minimum of noise. If the Deputy was over here in my place he would be shouting it from the house tops. I certainly did not. Naturally, the people who got the benefit of it have spoken about it. What additional steps have I taken? There is the one steps only that anybody can take. The market is there; people are free to buy and sell; I cannot influence the price that they pay. I have asked the processors to pass on the maximum that they could of this £57 per ton.
Again—dealing with this £57 export rebate—could the Minister tell us what percentage, if any, of this money has been passed on to the farmers?
There has been an increase in cow prices; the figures prove that there has been an increase in cow prices. I think the increase should have been more, but the processors are saying that the freight charges have increased substantially and that this is one element that they have to take into consideration.
Am I right in assuming that the Minister is not in a position to say what percentage of the £57 per ton rebate has been passed on to the farmer?
Not exactly. I know that the full £57, or anything like it, has not been passed on to the farmers. I think this is regrettable in so far as it is possible to pass it on to them.
Can the Minister do anything about it?
Could I just finish? As the Deputy probably knows, the position is that there are twice as many cows coming on the market this year than there were last year. It is a buyers' market, so to speak. In these circumstances, it is quite easy to see that the producer does not get the best possible price.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he aware that cow prices at the present time are a good deal lower than they were last September?
I cannot say whether or not that is correct. I am saying that cow prices have gone up as a result of getting this refund.
A final supplementary——
Arising out of Question No. 34, a Cheann Comhairle, could the Minister tell me has he replied to it in full? I would like to ask the Minister what prospects has he for 1974 in view of the fact that cattle which are a year old are now selling for £40 and calves are selling for as low as £5. Does he think it is a great hindrance to the efforts he is making that Dr. David Thornley and others——
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Liam Cunningham.
Of course, I do not accept that calves are being sold for £5. I think this is nonsense.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Liam Cunningham has been called.
(Interruptions.)
What are the prospects for the small store cattle and for the calves this year?
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Liam Cunningham.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister agree that the twin problems of lower prices for cattle and higher prices for animal feeding stuffs were aggravated by the action of the Minister for Industry and Commerce in taking the lid off the control prices which caused farmers to sell animal grain at a bad price? Would the Minister not agree that this is not an encouragement to farmers in the coming year to go into the growing of animal grains?
As a matter of fact —in reply to the Deputy—it is great nonsense to say that this has been the effect of the decision of the Minister for Industry and Commerce to take the feeding stuffs and fertilisers prices out of control.
(Interruptions.)
Order of business.
(Interruptions.)
A Cheann Comhairle, you disallowed today a question that I had down to the Taoiseach on the Arts Council.
The Deputy may not raise a matter in this fashion. He may discuss the matter with me in my office but he may not raise it here. I have already written to the Deputy on the matter.
(Interruptions.)
Order of business.
In view of the unsatisfactory replies to Questions Nos. 12 and 13, 15 and 16 and 27, I wish to raise them on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.