Edition Bobbett2. Speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1951 Wicklow, Meeting of the County Committee of Agriculture

Source: Wicklow People, 06.10.1951

Miss Elizabeth F. Bobbett, supporting the call for a free market for export of poultry and eggs, pointed to the fact that the export of eggs in August was [[?]], a reduction on last year of more than 120,000 great hundreds. The reason was obvious, in that eggs dropped to 2s per dozen last year, and the then Minister advised farmers to fatten their day-old chicks. If they had a free market they would have better prices, and, while she understood the centralisation of the market was intended to ensure better quality, she held that if their table poultry was not up to standards needed for that particular market they could export elsewhere.

Speaking to the resolution from the County Committee to revoke, in the interests of pig producers, consumers and the national economy the order prohibiting other than white pigs as unsuitable for breeding and sale, Miss Bobbett said that in 37 weeks the number of pigs sent to the curers had decreased 130,000. In 1948 they were assured of feeding stuffs and good prices, and farmers responded to the best of their ability in production, but, in the latter end of 1949, prices dropped 30s a cwt, and in 1950 they had 7,000 less sows.