asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in respect of each week from 1st January, 1974, he will give the average price per live cwt. obtained at fairs and markets for Irish cattle and the corresponding figures for 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Cattle Prices.
52.
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Average Market Price for Adult Cattle.
|
Week Ending |
1973 |
Week Ending |
1974 |
|
(£/live cwt.) |
(£/live cwt.) |
||
|
3January |
16.44 |
2 January |
14.43 |
|
10,, |
17.07 |
9,, |
14.47 |
|
17,, |
16.69 |
16,, |
14.39 |
|
24,, |
17.00 |
23,, |
14.19 |
|
31,, |
17.21 |
30,, |
14.54 |
|
7February |
17.08 |
6 February |
14.83 |
|
14,, |
17.06 |
13,, |
14.52 |
|
21,, |
17.21 |
20,, |
14.41 |
|
28,, |
17.14 |
27,, |
14.80 |
|
7March |
17.15 |
6 March |
15.13 |
|
14,, |
17.23 |
13,, |
15.97 |
|
21,, |
17.34 |
20,, |
16.17 |
|
28,, |
17.76 |
27,, |
16.35 |
|
4April |
17.57 |
3 April |
16.92 |
|
11,, |
17.66 |
10,, |
16.89 |
|
18,, |
17.77 |
17,, |
16.57 |
|
25,, |
18.00 |
24,, |
16.72 |
|
2May |
18.25 |
1 May |
16.67 |
|
9,, |
18.32 |
8,, |
16.75 |
|
16,, |
18.06 |
15,, |
16.84 |
|
23,, |
17.68 |
||
|
30,, |
17.19 |
Average Market Price for Adult Cattle.
|
Week Ending |
1973 |
1974 |
|
(£/live cwt.) |
(£/live cwt.) |
|
|
6June |
17.17 |
|
|
13,, |
17.01 |
|
|
20,, |
16.97 |
|
|
27,, |
16.75 |
|
|
4July |
16.40 |
|
|
11,, |
16.13 |
|
|
18,, |
16.27 |
|
|
25,, |
16.03 |
|
|
1August |
16.09 |
|
|
8,, |
16.13 |
|
|
15,, |
16.20 |
|
|
22,, |
16.28 |
|
|
29,, |
16.18 |
|
|
5September |
15.88 |
|
|
12,, |
15.80 |
|
|
19,, |
15.82 |
|
|
26,, |
16.02 |
|
|
3October |
15.87 |
|
|
10,, |
15.59 |
|
|
17,, |
15.50 |
|
|
24,, |
15.26 |
|
|
31,, |
15.22 |
|
|
7November |
15.37 |
|
|
14,, |
15.40 |
|
|
21,, |
15.13 |
|
|
28,, |
15.07 |
|
|
5December |
15.08 |
|
|
12,, |
14.71 |
|
|
19,, |
14.37 |
Is it a rather embarrassing question?
No. There are too many figures to give.
There are figures for every week.
The guide price is only fixed once a year and it does not change.
53.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the reason for the disastrous drop in the price of calves.
While I agree that there has been an appreciable setback in the prices of calves as compared with the record high prices last year this is partly due to the substantially greater numbers on the market this year and to recent problems in the Community beef market generally. I have not, of course, been satisfied with the situation and the real solution is the strengthening of the European beef market for which I have been pressing over some months past at meetings of the EEC Council of Ministers and on which a number of measures have recently been taken by the Community.
Is the Minister not conscious of the fact that there are contributory factors causing the disastrous price of calves and of the fact that suckling herds all over the country are being dispersed? A rapid rise in the national herd which had been taking place up to last year is now levelling off if not going into reverse.
We have no statistics later than those for December.
Does the Minister not see a great danger in the large drop in our cattle numbers? The numbers will not be maintained at all if this goes on.
I would expect to see an increase in dairy cow numbers. If the price of any commodity drops people are inclined to get out of that commodity, if they have an alternative.
Would it not be advisable for the Department to bring this to the notice of the farmers?
In what way?
With regard to the danger of getting out of suckling herds and the danger of a drop in the cattle population next year. Would it be possible to arrest the decline?
We cannot tell people to stay in something if they want to get out of it.
The Minister must be aware that herds are being dispersed. There will be a drop in the rate of increase in the cow-herds.
I hope the Deputy's prediction is incorrect.
In view of the low prices paid for calves has the Minister taken any action to bring more confidence into this trade? There are many small farmers in a bad way because of the low prices for calves.
If there was a trade for young calves in the export market and if we had suitable cattle we would have more exports than we are having at the moment. The outlet is just not there.
The Minister has not done anything to instil confidence?
There is no point telling people who are dissatisfied at the moment that they should hold on to get twice the price next year. That was never done by me.
Was that not what the Minister did some months ago?
No. I never told them that.