asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is in a position to state (1) the amount of oats imported into this country from (a) Canada, and (b) elsewhere, during the first four months of the present year, (2) the price charged for same delivered at our ports, and (3) the prospects of Irish growers securing a market and an economic price for this year's oats crop.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oats Imports.
The Deputy will have observed that as from September, 1939, a summary only of imports and exports has been issued; on grounds of public policy it has been decided not to publish for the present in any form more details than are given in this summary. Accordingly, the information asked for in parts (1) and (2) of the question cannot be given.
As regards part (3) of the question, the Deputy is no doubt aware that it is the general practice of farmers to use the oats grown on their farms for the feeding of their own live stock. It is particularly desirable that this practice should be followed this year when imported animal feeding stuffs are likely to be scarce and very expensive. If farmers generally retain their oats for this purpose there should be no difficulty in securing a market and an economic price for such quantities as may have to be sold.
Is the Minister not aware that a very large percentage of farmers cannot possibly utilise the entire oats crop on their own farms for the reason that the land may be suited for oats but not for any other grain crop, with the result that farmers may have a big surplus of oats for the market? There is grave alarm at present with the regard to the position, owing to the fact that it is believed that a large quantity of oats has been imported during the past few months and will be imported during the next few months and that, as a result, the oats crop may be absolutely unsaleable. Will the Minister give some assurance that farmers who have oats to sell will get a market for it, particularly in view of the fact that farmers have been compelled to extend the acreage under tillage?
The Minister for Agriculture does not anticipate that there will be any difficulty in marketing any oats available for sale after this season's harvest or that it will not be possible to obtain an economic price.