asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the reason for the low prices poultry producers are receiving; and if he has any plans to ensure that they receive fair prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poultry Prices.
3.
There has been no appreciable difference in recent months as compared with a year earlier in the general run of price levels for poultry, a very large sector of which now comprises contract broiler production.
The great contraction of economic export markets for poultry and eggs which has been affecting other countries like ourselves has inevitably had adverse repercussions on production and price levels during recent years.
My Department has just received the report of two outside experts who were asked to make a survey of the position and prospects of the Irish poultry and eggs industry some months ago and I propose to consider the whole position further in the light of this report.
Is the Minister aware that producers were getting more for their produce ten to 15 years ago when money was worth much more than it is today? Is he further aware that turkey producers sold their turkeys this year at prices ranging from 2/- to 4/- per pound and that the consumers had to pay prices ranging from 5/- to 8/- per pound, and does he think it is right that those who just buy the turkeys get more for handling them in one week than the producers get for rearing them for six months?
Answering the latter part of the supplementary, I do not agree with that.
Is the Minister not aware that, to all intents and purposes, the poultry industry is dead except for a few limited concerns who engage in the mass production of poultry? The Minister for Finance is not here but I should like to draw the attention of the Minister for Agriculture to the fact that the Minister for Finance has not got a hen at all now. Even he who, a few years ago, was receiving a big income from poultry is now without a hen at all, which indicates clearly that the poultry industry is dead.
He is going in for canaries.
Has the Deputy so much confidence in Deputy Haughey's judgment?
Will the Minister answer the question?
There have been so many supplementaries asked that I am confused as to what I should answer, but as I said in reply to the question, we have had a survey made of the position in regard to the prospects for poultry and eggs. In the light of this report, I intend to examine the whole situation.
Can the Minister hold out any prospects for the future?
Forget about it.
When I have studied this report I shall be in a better position.