asked the Minister for Agriculture if he received a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of the Tipperary S. R. County Council, held on the 18th November, 1930, regarding the dumping of foreign oats into the Saorstát, and the effect this has of depriving the tillage farmer of any chance of a home market, and requesting that arrangements be made with carrying companies with a view to a material reduction in the present carrying rates for cereals; and, if so, what action he intends to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Oats in Saorstát.
Mr. Hogan
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.
With regard to the suggestion that the importation of foreign oats has had the effect of depriving corngrowers in the Saorstát of a home market for grain, I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to a similar question by Deputy Aird on 19th ultimo.
I am informed that, owing to the general low level of prices for cereals of all descriptions, due to world causes, oats are not being offered for sale in any large quantity in the Saorstát, and that they are being retained to an increasing extent for feeding stock on farms.
As regards transit charges, it is open to persons or associations interested in the carriage of oats to apply at any time to the Great Southern Railways Company, or to the Railway Tribunal, for new exceptional rates. Such application would afford an opportunity of indicating the special circumstances which would make an exceptional rate a necessity for the marketing of oats. and the railway company, or failing them, the Railway Tribunal, would be bound to give full consideration to such special circumstances.
Is the Minister not aware that this day week a cargo of Russian oats came in at the North Wall which is going to have the effect of throwing our own oats back on the farmers' hands? They cannot dispose of it.
Mr. Hogan
I did not know oats came in to Dublin this day week. Anyway, only about £4,000 worth of oats came in, and there is £5,000,000 worth in the country. It would be simply lost.