asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the present position concerning the availability of maize for animal feeding, and in particular (1) if maize is still subject to allocation by the International Emergency Food Committee, and, if not, when it ceased to be so subject; (2) if any allocation of maize for animal feeding has been made to this country for 1948-49, and, if so, what quantity, and (3) in what manner is it proposed to give effect to the policy he announced to the Dáil on May 5th to import larger quantities of maize at a lower price than now obtains.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maize Supplies.
Maize is still subject to allocation by the International Emergency Food Council. No allocation of maize for animal feeding has yet been made to this country for 1948-49. Every effort is being made to secure supplies of maize at an economic price, but no contracts have yet been made.
Maize now being distributed was purchased in April, 1947. A quantity of approximately 100,000 tons will be available for distribution in June and subsequent months. This maize is unfit for human consumption.
Inquiries in Argentine and the U.S.A. are being made constantly, and although Argentine prospects as to price and quantity appear to be unsatisfactory, it is legitimate to hope that in this matter, as in so many others, we may look to the U.S.A. for these essential supplies in so far as their immense responsibilities will allow.
Am I correct in saying that the distribution of maize for animal feeding at the present time is possible only on the ground that the maize is unfit for human food, and that, in fact, there is no allocation of maize by the International Emergency Food Council except for human food? If that is correct, on what grounds did the Minister announce his policy for the importation of maize for animal feeding this year?
On the grounds of the confident anticipation that it will be imported in immense quantities.
Does the Minister not realise that he has, in fact, prejudiced the chance of obtaining that maize by his indiscreet statement?
On the contrary, I have rendered virtually certain the importation of the maize which Deputy Lemass so signally failed to secure in past years.