asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the changed circumstances that now exist regarding the admixture of oats and maize, (1) the heavily increased cost of oats, (2) the difficulty in obtaining supplies of oats for milling and the consequent reflection of the foregoing difficulties in the increased cost of the finished product and the consequent hardship to pig producers in Munster, and especially in West Cork, and if he is so aware whether he is prepared to modify the scheme by reducing the present percentage of oats in the admixture.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Admixture of Oats and Maize.
Dr. Ryan
I am aware that there has been a considerable increase in the price of oats during the past two months. This contingency was foreseen by the Government last autumn, and maize meal millers and oats merchants were then advised to arrange for the purchase of sufficient quantities of oats to meet their requirements until next harvest. In addition to giving this advice the Government brought into operation a scheme guaranteeing participating merchants and millers against loss on such purchase of oats.
Millers who did not co-operate with the Government on that occasion may now be experiencing difficulty in obtaining supplies of oats except at prices higher than they are willing to pay. I do not propose to facilitate such millers by reducing the percentage of home-grown cereals required to be mixed with maize meal. They must, therefore, be prepared to sell maize meal mixture at prices which will enable them to compete with those millers who had the foresight to provide themselves with ample supplies of oats when prices were lower.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, did I understand him correctly when I took it that he said the Government could not foresee the rise in the price of oats last autumn?
Dr. Ryan
Yes.
Well, then, the Government must have foreseen last autumn that the British were going to put an embargo on the exports of fat cattle, because it is the surplus of fat cattle the people have got to feed that is responsible for putting up the price of oats?
Dr. Ryan
The Deputy does not foresee very much.
The Deputy foresees that the Minister is in league with the enemy.