asked the Minister for Agriculture if representations have been made to him to permit the importationof oats from abroad and if in order to allay anxiety among farmers who have an excess of oats to dispose of he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Oats.
Mr. Walsh
Representations have been made to me to permit the importation of oats from abroad.
I understand that there is a ready market for all oats offered at present, but that millers and merchants are unable to obtain their full requirements. I am not prepared to permit any large-scale importation of oats until growers have had a reasonable opportunity of marketing their crops. It appears, however, that unless further quantities of oats are marketed in the near future it will be necessary to permit the importation of feeding and milling oats to meet requirements up to next harvest.
Licences have already been granted for the importation of 3,000 tons of seed oats, and having regard to the general supply position it appears likely that importation of a further quantity will be necessary.
Could the Minister indicate if oats will subsequently be in short supply; in other words, will they not be sufficient to meet the requirements of the nation throughout the coming year until next harvest?
Mr. Walsh
I cannot say at the moment whether we will have a sufficient supply or not because merchants and farmers have been engaged in the sale of barley and the storing of barley and wheat up to the present. I believe that within the next fortnight we will see what quantity of oats is coming on the market.
Recently when I was questioning the Minister about barley he indicated that there was only a five months' supply of barley in the country. Could the Minister indicate for what period the oats being grown in Ireland is sufficient to supply feeding requirements?
Mr. Walsh
I do not know. It depends on the use that is made of it.
Estimating that as much oats is fed to stock as last year,under normal conditions, could the Minister not give a reply then?
Mr. Walsh
No, not at the moment. I have no indication of the oats we have in the country.