asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason for the high cost of animal feeds in this country compared with other EEC member states.
10.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Animal Feed Prices.
9.
Mr. Leonard
Mr. Leonard
asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps he proposes to take to reduce the price of animal feeds in line with other EEC member states.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
Animal feed prices in Ireland tend to be somewhat higher than those in most other member states because we have only comparatively small quantities of native grain surplus to requirements and because of higher transport costs for imported supplies.
In recent months the unusually high cost of animal feeds has arisen mainly from the exceptional demand brought about by unfavourable weather conditions in late spring and also early summer. With a view to alleviating the situation I secured as part of the EEC price package, that 50,000 tonnes of feed wheat from intervention stocks in Germany will be transferred to this country. The first shipments of this wheat should arrive here about 1 July.
Mr. Leonard
Would the Minister agree that the animal feed prices here are substantially rather than somewhat higher? Producers, especially in poultry enterprises, are at a serious disadvantage because of these high prices. Would it not be possible that the cheaper wheat be diverted into those areas where these poultry producers are experiencing such difficulties rather than distributed over the whole country?
I agree with the Deputy that that would be desirable. Unfortunately transport costs play a significant part in our increased prices compared with the prices on the Continent and we have great difficulty in overcoming this. Also, the Dutch in particular are able to transport enormous quantities at one time into ports such as Rotterdam. That gives them a significant trading advantage over us. Our shipments are considerably smaller, which adds to the transport costs.
Mr. Leonard
Would the Minister not agree that it is time some kind of mechanism was set up within the EEC to ensure that no particular area or section is severely disadvantaged, such as has happened with the poultry industry in my own constituency? These people are facing severe competition which is all due to the high price of grain. It is time some mechanism was set up to aid these people.
I believe that we have in the past looked for transport subsidies but have not been successful in getting them. We certainly are disadvantaged and I will be asking again that we get some consideration.
Could the Minister tell us how much higher the prices are?
No, I am afraid that I do not have that information.
Following on that lack of answer, would the Minister accept that if there were greater trade in native barley or wheat among the home producers the price would have been less to the producer and more beneficial to the economy? If the Minister believes that is so, what does he propose to do about it?
That is not necessarily so and, anyway, this is a separate question. The information which the Deputy is seeking is not in the question and is not directly related.
I am sure that the Minister must have an answer. We have been discussing this matter over two or three days.
The Minister is expected to answer only questions on the Order Paper or directly arising out of those questions and this is only reasonable.
I would be only too willing to answer, but I have not the information.
My question is very relevant. I am disappointed that the Minister does not see fit to give an answer.
I am of a different opinion to the Deputy on its relevance.
It is not a question of the Minister not seeing fit to answer the question. I have not the information at this time.