asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will encourage the growing of potatoes for human consumption during the emergency as a precaution against famine; whether in view of the difficulty, owing to uncertainty of seasons and shortage of manures, of ascertaining exactly what amount will be required as human food next season, he will encourage the maximum production of potatoes; whether he is aware that the most effective means of securing this maximum production is to make it possible for farmers to recover the cost of production by feeding any surplus potatoes to pigs; and, if so, if he will take steps to have pig prices restored to what they were before the last cut in prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potato Production and Pig Prices.
As the Deputy is aware, a widespread propaganda has been conducted for an increase in potato production for human consumption. The use of potatoes for this purpose must have priority over their utilisation for pig feeding. I am satisfied that the existing pig prices will permit of a sufficiently remunerative return to growers for the use of surplus waste potatoes for pig feeding and I am not prepared, therefore, to adopt the Deputy's suggestion.