asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the current quotation for 21/22 lbs. Italian ryegrass seed cleaned f.o.r. Lurgan is 26/- per cwt., whereas the price of the same seed f.o.r. Dundalk from Irish seed cleaners is 37/3 per cwt., although a considerable quantity of this latter seed has been imported under licence uncleaned from Northern Ireland; and whether he will take steps to admit supplies of cleaned seed for the benefit of farmers requiring them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Italian Ryegrass Seed.
I am aware that 37/3 per cwt. has been charged for cleaned Italian ryegrass seed f.o.r. Dundalk; but I cannot confirm the statement that the current quotation for 21/22 lbs. cleaned Italian ryegrass seed f.o.r. Lurgan is 26/- per cwt. The restriction on the importation of ryegrass seed has been imposed in the interests of farmers, mainly in County Monaghan, who grow ryegrass for seed purposes, and, in the circumstances, I am not prepared at this stage to take steps to permit cleaned Italian ryegrass seed to be imported.