asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, with reference to seed wheat for the season 1945-46, the aggregate quantities assembled by licensed assemblers, distinguishing between varieties, and the total quantities of varieties found on test by his Department to be unsuitable for seed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Wheat Tests.
The aggregate quantity of wheat purchased from growers by holders of seed (wheat) assemblers' permits during the 1945-46 season was 488,000 barrels. This was made up of 55,000 barrels of winter varieties and 433,000 barrels of spring varieties.
Approximately 4,000 barrels of winter varieties and 26,000 barrels of spring varieties were found to be unsuitable for seed following tests for germination.
Can the Minister account for the very substantial quantity that was unsuitable because of low germination? Is he satisfied that the loss, damage, and deterioration resulted from delay in transport, as well as lack of transport in some districts, and also from delay in conditioning the wheat while it was in a green state in the stores? Will he say what is proposed to be done, so that better precautions against such loss will be taken during the coming season?
One thing about it is that about half the quantity was found to be affected on one premises, and that was due to a wrong method of drying —over-heating.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, with reference to pedigree seed wheat assembled by Pedigree Seed Producers Ltd., (a) the aggregate quantities of different varieties assembled; (b) the quantities of varieties found on test by his Department to be unsuitable for seed; and (c) the quantities that were distributed to merchants and found on test to be low in germination and recalled by the company.
This company is a commercial firm and is a licensed seed assembler under the Emergency Powers (Cereals) Order. As such, the company is required to furnish my Department with particulars of the total quantity of seed wheat which it has assembled.
As regards (a) in the Deputy's question, my Department's information is that 7,000 barrels of winter varieties of wheat and 31,000 barrels of spring varieties were purchased from growers.
As regards (b), the answer is none.
As regards (c), this information is not in the possession of my Department as any such transactions would be between the company and its customers.
This firm is in a definite category and in a very privileged position. They were asked to handle seed, bred and propagated at Glasnevin. They were given special terms in connection with the propagation of that seed and I submit that this House should be satisfied that the work was efficiently carried out. I think the Minister should be prepared to give a full and frank explanation concerning it. I should like if the Minister could tell us whether quantities of this seed, which were sold at 96/- a barrel, were recalled as being unsuitable for sowing because of low germination. If that is the case, does it not suggest that the work was not efficiently done?
I have some sympathy with the Deputy's point, that this is a privileged company, and that this transaction should not be cloaked in the Dáil. I have not the information that the Deputy asks for and I am afraid it would take some time to get it. I will see if it will be possible to do so.
The Minister proposes to examine the matter.
Yes.