asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he considers that there is a danger of an over-supply of cattle to meat factories in the State arising from the fact that cattle may be imported from Northern Ireland to secure the benefit of intervention prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Trade.
4.
I have no information to suggest that the number of cattle imported here from Northern Ireland in present circumstances has increased due to the reason mentioned or any other. Factories here are able to get all the cattle they require locally.
Is there a danger of the type of situation I have outlined occurring in the autumn?
Such a situation is not likely to arise.
Why?
Taking one year with another, imports of cattle from Northern Ireland average about 100,000 per year. In the period from January to May this year, customs figures show that a total of 38,459 cattle were imported into this part of the country from Northern Ireland as compared with 37,000 in the same period last year, so that the figure is an average one.
Is it not likely that the operation of an intervention here will mean higher prices for cattle in this part of the country than in Northern Ireland where there is no intervention in operation?
No.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say——
I have already allowed the Deputy three or four supplementaries on this question. We shall have one short supplementary from Deputy Callanan.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Minister admitted here that the factories were not inclined to take brucellosis reactors because of over-supply?
Question No. 5.
Since the Parliamentary Secretary refuses to reply to Deputy Callanan's question, may I ask if it is not the position that the reason why the factories are employed fully at present is that there is nowhere else in which live beef cattle will be bought?
Is the Deputy making a statement or asking a question?
Is it not the position that cattle coming from Northern Ireland are competing with Twenty-six County cattle for intervention space?
The Deputy is furnishing information rather than seeking it.
Is it not well that we are getting information from somewhere?
Next question, please.
The Parliamentary Secretary should answer the question he was asked.
I have answered all the questions I was asked.
The Parliamentary Secretary has not answered the question put to him by Deputy Callanan and myself because he is not able to do so.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling the next question.
5.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his Department will issue a guideline for cattle prices at all weights and classes in line with the current or intervention price of fat cattle.
The prescribed intervention categories of Irish cattle and the relevant prices for beef therefrom offered by factories to the Irish Intervention Agency have already been published. I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate a statement of the particulars with the Official Report. Following is the statement:—
|
Categories |
Intervention Purchase Prices (pence per lb) |
|
|
Maximum |
Minimum |
|
|
Carcases, Sides and Compensated Quarters: |
||
|
Steers I |
30.37 |
29.76 |
|
Steers II |
29.75 |
28.75 |
|
Heifers II |
28.91 |
27.91 |
|
Cows I |
25.55 |
24.55 |
|
Forequarters (10 Ribs): |
||
|
Steers I |
22.78 |
22.32 |
|
Steers II |
22.31 |
21.56 |
|
Heifers II |
21.68 |
20.93 |
|
Cows I |
19.16 |
18.41 |
|
Hindquarters (3 Ribs): |
||
|
Steers I |
36.44 |
35.71 |
|
Steers II |
35.70 |
34.50 |
|
Heifers II |
34.69 |
33.49 |
|
Cows I |
30.66 |
29.46 |
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the intervention and guide prices he has referred to and which are published are not being obtained on the Irish market? Nothing like the colour of the price he referred to is obtainable on the Irish market. The average price we got last week was about £14 per cwt. but the intervention price is £18. What is the Parliamentary Secretary talking about? Does the Parliamentary Secretary know what is going on?
I am not so aware, but as the Deputy knows some cattle do not qualify for intervention prices.
I am talking about average prices.
The average price——
Question No. 6.
The Chair does not have to worry about the Parliamentary Secretary because he is not that bad. The Parliamentary Secretary should be given a chance to answer.
Is the Chair protecting the Parliamentary Secretary?
The Chair should realise that the Parliamentary Secretary is able to look after himself.
The Parliamentary Secretary wants to answer the question put to him.
Order. Deputy Callanan for a supplementary.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is because the intervention price is not being passed on to the farmer that cattle will not be taken from any other source only from intervention in the factory?
On an average yes, according to my information.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the price he is circulating is the worst price in Europe for cattle?
I do not think so.
It is. It is not what the Parliamentary Secretary thinks because the statement made by the Deputy is correct.
I am sure that the Deputies are aware that in other countries in Europe farmers are not satisfied with cattle prices or other prices at present.
They are much higher than ours.
The prices in other countries are much higher than ours. The Parliamentary Secretary should take a look at the position in France to see what has happened.
The position is not confined to Ireland.
Our prices are the lowest.
I should like to give notice that it is my intention to raise the subject matter of Questions Nos. 4 and 5 on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.