asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what discussions he has had with bacon interests in this country before exploring the possibility of disposing of our bacon pigs "on the trotter" to the British Ministry of Food, and the prospects of disposing of them in this way more profitably than by conversion into bacon here.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Pigs.
I and my Department have had numerous discussions with bacon interests about all aspects of the pig and bacon industries, including exports.
Will the Minister say what was the general attitude of the industry, as a result of the talks, to the proposal which we understand from the Press has been discussed between the British Ministry of Food and the Minister as to the export price of pigs on the trotter, as the phrase goes?
I would like to believe that the Department of Agriculture enjoys the full confidence of the bacon industry in this country.
Is the Minister aware that a number of bacon curers in this country have refused, after repeated requests, to publish the prices they are paying for pigs?
I should like to direct the attention of the Deputy to the interesting fact that the Clover Bacon Company have published an undertaking to pay 195/- for a protracted period, and I await the Deputy's congratulations to myself on this performance.
I have asked the Minister to say what is the attitude of the bacon curers here to this proposition of exporting bacon pigs as I have described it?
I do not quite know what the Deputy has described. The Deputy has purported to inquire as to the nature of the discussions between myself and the British Minister of Food and whether the bacon factories approve of them. I cannot imagine that the Deputy with his experience of such matters, could consider it reasonable to ask me at this stage to give an ex parte report of, what has passed between myself and the British Minister of Food in connection with negotiations that are still proceeding. I cannot tell the Deputy what the bacon curers think of what has passed if I do not propose to tell them.