asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the reasons which decided the Government against adopting the system of acreage subsidy payments for certain tillage crops, which system has operated so successfully in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tillage Subsidies.
It is considered that the present methods adopted for obtaining the necessary production of food are more effective than the system suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that the system of payment for the production of wheat and other essential crops on an acreage basis in addition to the payment for output has worked remarkably well in Great Britain and has been continued up to the present? As a matter of fact, it has been increased in the present year. In view of the remarkable success of that system in another country, surely the Minister should give it consideration.
It has received, over a number of years, that consideration of which the Deputy speaks. A motion was debated in this House as to the wisdom or otherwise of such a system and my Department and myself are satisfied that the present system is preferable to the one suggested.
Does the Minister not consider that, where you compel, by law, a farmer with inferior land to grow wheat, it is desirable that a more equitable system of payment should be adopted than that of payment on a barrel basis; that payment on an acreage basis in addition to the yield would be fairer to the man with inferior land?
The Deputy is not justified in saying that a farmer is compelled to grow wheat on land which is known to be unsuitable for that purpose.
Inferior land.