asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received a request to set up in this country a factory for the slaughter of horses for export, and, if so, if he will state the estimated employment which he was informed would be given in such a factory, the nature of his decision on the matter, and the reasons for such a decision.

Proposals for the export of horse flesh for human consumption from a factory here were recently submitted to my Department by some Belgian interests. The estimated employment which would be provided in the factory was not stated.

It is the established policy not to permit the export of horse-flesh for human consumption, as it is considered that the development of such a trade would be contrary to the country's interests in regard to the export of high grade carcase meat. I am satisfied that this policy, which is supported by views expressed from many responsible quarters and by a decision of this House on a motion on 18th-19th November, 1953, is the one best calculated to serve the public interest and, accordingly, I am not prepared to modify the existing export prohibition.

If the Minister was satisfied that the export of horse flesh was not for human consumption, would he reconsider his attitude?

I have already indicated, in another statement on the matter, that the export of horse flesh for conversion to dog food is quite permissible, provided the horse flesh is suitably dyed with vegetable dye before export. Under such circumstances, every facility will be made available and also if the meat is canned and the cans embossed with the words "Dog food" or "Cat food", as the case may be.

Might I ask the Minister whether, in view of the fact that recently the British have decided to permit the export of horse flesh to Belgium and other continental countries, he does not consider it likely that horse flesh will be exported from this country to England, processed in England and re-exported, thus diminishing our prospects of engaging in such a trade? Will the Minister reconsider the position in the light of this development?

My primary solicitude is for the high grade carcase meat industry of this country, which, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, is passing through a difficult period. Nothing which can injure or jeopardise that industry ought to be done. I can quite well imagine that Great Britain might export horse meat, but the Deputy will readily recognise that, as Great Britain has no export trade in meat, the same considerations would not operate.

I wonder how many horses in this country at the present time are fit for slaughter for human consumption.

Is the Minister satisfied that it would, in fact, jeopardise the carcase beef trade?

Every advice I have, including that of my distinguished predecessor, the Opposition's Minister for Agriculture, points to that conclusion. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition has forgotten that his Government resisted a proposal along the lines of Deputy O'Malley's question in 1953, and set out in great detail, and with my cordial approval, the reasons for their refusal to consider the setting up of this industry.

I have not forgotten, but I want the Minister to satisfy himself again, under present conditions, that it is so.

My mind is constantly turned to this problem and I have no reason to change it.

When Deputy Walsh dealt with the matter in 1951, the circumstances which obtained were entirely different from those of the present time.

Deputy Walsh dealt with the matter in 1953 and reiterated what I had said in 1950.

Does the Minister consider that the circumstances which existed then were different?

I do not think so.