asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself with the drop of a quarter of a million in cattle numbers slaughtered in our meat plants this year as opposed to two years ago; and if he proposes any initiative to reverse this trend.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Slaughtering.
11.
The higher cattle disposals in 1986 resulted in some depletion of stocks but that trend has now ceased. The June 1988 livestock enumeration showed an increase in the female breeding herd of some 12,000 head compared with the 1987 level, the first increase since 1984. The beef breeding herd increased by 42,000 head. Deputies will be aware, but they sometimes seem to forget, that it takes two to three years for an increase in the breeding herd to be translated into increased cattle ready for slaughter.
Earlier this year I obtained European Commission agreement to the payment of the suckler cow premium on beef cows in dairy herds and the extension of the deadline for applications for the suckler cow premium from 30 November to 31 January. This latter extension should facilitate farmers, who wish to operate the once-calved heifer system, in qualifying for grants under the suckler cow premium scheme. I expect these measures to translate into additional cattle for slaughter in future years.
A further increase in the breeding herd is a priority and the most effective way of bringing this about is through increased profitability in suckler cows. The success of the Government's policy in achieving major reductions in inflation and interest rates have been instrumental in this regard. These developments, together with the attractive package for grants and greatly improved prices for calves and young cattle, should ensure a climate for further expansion in the cattle breeding herd and correct the declining trend of recent years. It is, of course, self-evident that any drop in cattle numbers available for slaughter now is directly and exclusively a consequence of decision taken in 1985 and 1986.
Could the Minister indicate to the House the degree by which slaughtering capacity now exceeds requirements? Has he had any recent indications from the meat industry which would prompt him to respond to that question?
The significant thing at this point is that slaughtering capacity is not now the only criterion of activity in the industry. It is more and more the added value in the plants after the slaughtering stage that has become a feature of the Irish meat industry. Product development and packaging of all kinds is much more significant. I acknowledge that there is a surplus slaughtering capacity now because of the inadequate numbers. I cannot press buttons, nor can this Government, which would suddenly produce a three year old bullock. It takes three years for a bullock to mature. What we are doing now will ensure that three years down the line there will be increased supplies.
Is it not a question of profitability with our suckler herd? Is it not true to say that one of the reasons for the falling cattle numbers is that they are not profitable any longer and many farmers are getting out of cattle production and into sheep production?
The indications last year for farm income generally showed a 30 per cent increase over the previous year. This year the good news is that there will be a very substantial increase over that record increase for last year. In regard to Deputy Gibbons's question I am informed, and I am glad to get this information, that the level of income increase in the case of those engaged in the cattle trade is higher than the average.
The Minister is being slightly mischievous when he says that the decisions taken in 1985 and 1986 result in the numbers being less than we would like, or words to that effect. Surely the greatest factor in relation to the lower than ideal numbers in the beef herd was the introduction of the super-levy in 1984 and the subsequent efforts of farmers to live within their quotas and cull their cows as a result of that. Could the Minister indicate what his views are in relation to the importation of calves as a method of overcoming this problem and the direct importation of beef for killing in our factories, both of which matters have raised their heads recently and there are increasing inquiries about them?
We are having an extension of the subject matter of this question.
I was just questioning the Minister's views on initiatives to reverse the trend.
A separate question would be very desirable on those topics.
Has the Minister no views on calf imports?
I do but it is a separate matter.
I am asking about initiatives to reverse the trend in the numbers being slaughtered.
I am calling Deputy Durkan for a final supplementary.
I do not want to get into an argument. The trend is already being reversed, as the figures I have given indicate.
It is not.
I gave the figures and I will give them again? These are facts.
We heard the figures but I am asking about imports.
Let me give the figures again. The June 1988 livestock enumeration showed an increase in the female breeing herd of some 12,000 head compared with 1987, the first increase since 1984. The beef breeding herd increased by 42,000 head. The pattern is that we have arrested the decline and that will continue.
What about beef imports? Has the Minister a policy? He is afraid to answer the questions. They are controversial——
I accept that the Minister cannot press buttons which will produce a three year old bullock but I think he has pressed and will continue to press buttons which will increase the slaughtering capacity, knowing the trend was as it was. Is he aware that slaughtering capacity now exceeds requirement by 60 per cent and that the 12,000 extra he referred to only a few moments ago will mean a minuscule effect in utilisation of that slaughtering capacity?
No, I am not so aware and I do not accept that. I do not want to engage in argument and in case Deputy Doyle thinks I am running away from anything, I am not. The implication of the importation of calves is a very big question having regard to our special disease free status, the health status of our herds which is giving our producers the best prices in the markets out there. Importation, therefore, is not something you decide suddenly by way of a quick fix.
The markets are there. Can we expect any policy scheme to be issued shortly, such as the one the Minister announced many months ago?
Order. We come now to questions nominated for priority.
We are still waiting for it.
On a point of order, this relates to Question No. 75 on today's Order Paper in my name. I submitted a question to the Taoiseach and each member of the Cabinet and on today's Order Paper those questions have been combined into one question. Can I have an assurance that I am going to get an individual answer from each Minister as I am entitled to?
Deputy, you are raising a matter about which the Chair has no function whatsoever.
I submitted my individual questions.
It is a matter for the Cabinet as to how to deal with the questions.
Nobody came back to me——
The Deputy has made his point. He may not pursue it now.
How can I pursue it?
My office will be glad to assist you in the matter.
The answer from me is "no". I never complain about those things.