asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that a number of farmers in County Dublin, who have their lands well manured and who for some seasons past harvested from 15 to 20 barrels of wheat an acre have, this year, had a yield of only 6 to 7 barrels per acre; and whether, in view of the general complaint that this low yield arises from the fact that the seed supplied was not up to standard, he is prepared to introduce a scheme to compensate farmers for losses arising from the use of poor quality seed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Wheat Losses.
I am aware that, almost entirely as a result of unfavourable weather conditions, the average yield of wheat of this year's harvest is considerably lower than in previous years, but I am satisfied that the quality of the seed assembled by authorised assemblers for re-sale to growers was not responsible for the reduced yields. I am not prepared to introduce a scheme for compensation, as suggested.