asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in order to secure a considerably greater acreage under wheat this year, he will without delay formulate a scheme, on the lines of the arrangement between the Irish Sugar Manufacturing Company and their sugar beet growers, under which farmers, who need such assistance, could get seed wheat on credit, to be paid for out of the produce of the crop.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Wheat Credit Scheme.
The arrangement to which the Deputy refers is rendered possible because beet growers sell their crops directly to the Irish Sugar Manufacturing Company under contract. It would not be practicable to make a similar arrangement in regard to wheat seed, as growers are free to sell their crops to any one of a number of millers and licensed dealers. County councils are empowered to provide credit facilities for the purchase of seeds and fertilisers.
Can no alternative arrangement be made? There are many farmers who approach me and say that they are not in a position to buy seed wheat.
The county council will attend to that.
That means that they will have to ask some neighbour to go security for them. Is that the way to get wheat grown?