asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that great difficulty is being experienced by feeders in securing supplies of bran and pollard, and where obtainable, the price is regarded as excessive; and if he will state if these offals are being exported, and if they are, to what extent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Offals.
I am aware that, for some time past there has been an increased demand for supplies of bran and pollard. Wheaten offals may be exported only under licence and no licence to export bran or pollard has been issued since 1934. In order to meet the demand for increased supplies arrangements are being made for the issue of licences for the importation of limited quantities of bran.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is it a fact that increased quantities of bran and pollard are being consumed?
Yes.
Or is it a fact that the millers are producing no pollard or bran since Christmas on account of the accumulated stocks of flour they have got in their stores?
I cannot answer as to what may have happened since Christmas, but taking it all over the year the consumption of pollard and bran is much higher than it was some years ago.
Is it correct to say that that increased consumption is due to the exorbitant price being asked for the maize meal mixture?
It is due to the cheap price of bran probably.