asked the Minister for Agriculture if, having regard to the need for increasing the number of breeding cows and to the fact that milch cows and in-calf heifers are relatively cheaper than dry-stock, he will introduce a heifer-loan scheme to be operated experimentally for at least two years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heifer-Loan Scheme.
A heifer-loan scheme is in operation whereunder any farmer may borrow from £10 to £100 for the purchase of heifers and repay the loan in annual instalments over a period of five years. Over 700 farmers have availed of it to date.
Having regard to the urgent need for increasing the number of dairy cows and having regard to the fact that dairy cows at present are relatively cheaper than any other type of stock, would the Minister give special attention to this particular branch with a view to inducing farmers to avail of this scheme to acquire additional cows? The effect will be first, to enable those farmers to restock their lands and secondly, to create a better market for in-calf heifers and dairy herds.
I think it clearly goes beyond the ambit of my duty to press anyone to borrow money which he himself thinks it inexpedient to borrow. My duty is to provide facilities, leaving it to the farmer's own prudent discretion as to whether he may, with profit to himself and family, avail of them or not.
Does the Minister not realise that it is not a question of pressing farmers to borrow the money but of trying to bring some influence to bear on the Agricultural Credit Corporation to loan the money?
I have already answered the Deputy in that context on another question and my answer still stands good.