asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that some firms in County Wexford were unwilling to buy oats at 21/- per barrel unless the bushel weight was at least 39 lbs. and that they are now offering oats at 45/- per barrel with a bushel weight of 37 lbs. or less; and, if so, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to preclude similar exploitation of the farmer in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bushel Weight of Oats.
I am aware that there was a very limited demand for oats at harvest time in 1944 and complaints were made to me that farmers could not sell their oats. I expressed the view at every available opportunity that the position would adjust itself and I advised farmers to hold their oats if at all possible. Since then, the position has radically altered. The demand for oats has been increasing from the beginning of 1945 while prices, have been rising. It does not necessarily follow that seed oats being sold now by merchants at high prices is the same grain which they purchased at a low price at the beginning of the season. The Deputy's information would appear to support the suggestion that it is not the same. My information is that farmers selling their oats have recently been obtaining prices around 40/- per barrel at local markets. While I have fixed a minimum price for oats, which growers should insist on for oats of fair quality before parting with their grain, experience has taught us that it is not practicable to enforce a maximum price for a commodity which nearly every farmer produces and which is disposed of through so many channels and to such a diversity of consumers. If producers make it impossible to enforce the maximum price, they must not complain when they in turn enter the market as consumers.