asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that Comhlucht Siúicre Eireann, Teo., have sent out notices to many farmers in County Wexford notifying them that they have determined (cancelled) their contracts for the growing of sugar beet because, as alleged, in the season 1935/36 they cultivated a larger area of beet than was specified in their contracts, he is prepared to exercise any powers he possesses to prevent such action on the part of Comhlucht Siúicre Eireann and to restore the beet growing contracts to those from whom they have been taken, and if he has no such powers if he will seek them and so obtain more control over such an arbitrary proceeding which presses severely on County Wexford farmers who have been pioneer beet-growers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Comhlucht Siúicre Eireann and Beet Crop.
Dr. Ryan
I am not in a position to control the action of Comhlucht Siúicre Eireann in the allotment of contracts for the growing of sugar beet, nor do I propose to seek powers of control.
Is not the Minister aware that this is very unfair to those farmers who were told on 29th March not to grow beet this year?
Dr. Ryan
I am assured by the company that a warning was issued to those people that if they grew an excess acreage the contract would be withdrawn.
What are those people to do with the beet they have sown? Are they simply to leave it in the land, where it will deteriorate? There is neither sense nor meaning in it.