asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there is a serious shortage of winter wheat available for sowing at the present time; and if he will state what steps he has taken, or intends to take, to ensure that farmers who have ground prepared may not be embarrassed in their efforts to sow the prescribed acreage of wheat this winter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Seed Wheat.
I am aware that owing to the decline in the area sown under winter wheat during recent years, seed of winter varieties is unusually scarce and that seed assemblers have not been able to procure their full requirements this season. It has been found possible to arrange for the import from Great Britain of a limited quantity of seed wheat of winter varieties. Efforts are also being made to secure seed of suitable winter varieties from certain continental countries.
Can the Minister say if the amount of seed that he hopes to import from Britain will be sufficient to meet our requirements as regards winter varieties?
It is all that I can get.
That does not answer the question.
It is much more important to know when he hopes to get it.
We have received applications for about twice that amount and we are examining these. We are confining the allocations to wheat of the winter varieties because of its importance.
I think the Minister misunderstood me. Does the Minister appreciate that the really important point is to know when we are going to get from Britain or elsewhere whatever we are going to get?
I do appreciate that, and I am trying to get it as quickly as possible.