asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there is a serious shortage in many counties of good grazing land for dairy cattle, as well as for the surplus "stores" at present in the country, and if he will, in consequence, consider the desirability of (1) revising the compulsory tillage quota for wheat in the different areas, and (2) classifying second year's meadowing as a tillage crop for the purposes of the compulsory tillage regulations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grazing Land Shortage.
I am not in a position to state whether the area of grazing lands in different districts of this country is adequate for the number of cattle kept. I am satisfied, however, that the tillage quota and the wheat quota represent the minimum which would ensure the production of adequate food supplies.
Would it not be possible for the Minister to divide the wheat quota as between one county and another, or between one area and another? Would it not be possible, in dairying districts, to give certain relief as against the tillage areas? Would it not be possible to give relief as regards the tillage quota in mountainous counties, like Wicklow, for example?
I should like to do that, but we will not have too much wheat on the present basis. If the Deputy would inform me as to what counties will grow more wheat, then I could consider the question.