asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state whether present stocks of seed, fertilisers, and maize and other feeding stuffs are sufficient to enable farmers to bring about the increase of tillage and the increase particularly in pigs and poultry which farmers have been asked to bring about, and if he will state what steps have been taken to secure future supplies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Seed, Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs.
With the exception of maize, I have no evidence as regards-stocks of the commodities mentioned by the Deputy that would justify concern as to the position generally. The import figures show that in the eight months ended 31st August, 1939, there was a substantial increase in imports, with the exception of turnip, mangel and clover seed, as compared with the corresponding period last year. The matter of maintaining supplies of all essential commodities and obtaining additional supplies where considered necessary for increased agricultural production is at present the subject of close consideration by my Department in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and other interests concerned.
Is the Minister aware that at present there is no maize in the country at all?
Fully aware.
It appears that no stores of maize were built up, with the result that there is little or no pig feeding to be had.
That docs not follow.
You cannot expert the Minister to understand that. Is the Minister also aware that, consequent on the Minister for Agriculture's broadcast calling upon all of us to sow vetches and rye as catch crops, we found that there was no seed in the country? Will the Minister take steps to see that cither the Minister for Agriculture will keep quiet or else that he will not tell us to plant vetches and rye when there is no seed to plant?
Has the Minister any information as to the conditions in Cavan and the neighbouring county with regard to the supply of maize? People who have been using it for the feeding of fowl and pigs and cannot change the food cannot get a supply. Whatever supply is available is badly distributed. Some people have unlimited quantities and others can get none at all. Will the Minister take steps at once to deal with that matter?
Will the Minister say when he proposes to make provision for supplies of maize, and what we are to do in the meantime while supplies of maize are not available ?
There is very little maize available at the moment and no prospect of procuring supplies of maize for some weeks to come. Even after that time it is improbable that for a period of at least six months we will get more than 50 per cent. of our normal requirements. It will be necessary, therefore, to supplement the supplies of maize with other cereals and, as has been announced by the Government, arrangements have been made to bridge the period before fresh supplies arrive by the sale of flaked wheat as pig feeding. It is to be taken as inevitable that there will be a considerable curtailment of maize supplies for a substantial period.
In order to spare the Minister any embarrassment, is he in a position to say for what reason there was no storage of maize in anticipation of the present crisis, inasmuch as the new season's Plate maize has been arriving since last May and there were three months in which to build up adequate storks?
I may inform the Deputy that the quantity of maize imported this year was substantially in excess of the quantity that was imported last year.
Is the Minister aware that the new Plate maize has been arriving since last May and we had May, June, July and August in which to build up blocks for the manufacture of Indian meal? Is there any reason why we were unable to do it, or was it a case of a bad oversight?
I may say that all the available storage was fully utilised and, as the Deputy is probably aware, you cannot store maize in an open field.
Does the Minister say that there was a substantial increase in the imports this year and there is now practically no maize left in the country?
There was a substantial increase in the imports this year. I have indicated the present position. Our position in that regard is very little different from the position of other countries in Europe.
May I draw the Minister's attention to the fact that he gave exactly the same answer to other questions—that there was a substantial increase in imports? Are we to expect the same results—that there is nothing now available?
I think the country is in a position to congratulate itself in that we are enabled to keep up a supply of pig food by releasing wheat for that purpose.
Mr. Morrissey
Can the Minister say to what extent will flaked wheat be available, having in view the shortage of maize?
Full and adequate supplies will be available.
You will wind up by killing half the pigs in the country.
Can the Minister say when the mills that are obliged to close down for want of maize will be reopened?
Perhaps the Minister can tell us from what period will the adequate supplies be available?
From to-day.
Can the Minister indicate if there are sufficient supplies of seed available for agriculture during the coming year, having in mind the increased tillage that will be necessary?
I will refer the Deputy to the reply I have already given.
Has the Minister any idea what will be the price per cwt. of the flaked wheat?
That is a separate question.