asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that farmers in South Wexford, who have heretofore produced beet on a large scale, are being asked to curtail their acreage of the crop because the freight subsidy, on account of the long distance to the factories, is over 17/3 per ton; and, if so, if he will give immediate and favourable consideration to the establishment of a beet factory in New Ross.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beet Growing.
I have been informed by Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, that no farmer in South Wexford or anywhere else has been asked or will be asked to curtail his beet acreage on account of high freight subsidy charges.
The existing sugar factories have a manufacturing capacity sufficient to meet the country's full requirements of sugar and are in fact capable of handling additional quantities of beet if it were available. The establishment of an additional factory would not, therefore, be justifiable.
I understood the Minister to say—I did not hear him very well—that no farmer would be restricted in acreage on account of the freightage. I have actually a letter in my pocket where a farmer is restricted in acreage because the freightage would be over 17/6 a ton.
I have informed the Deputy that the sugar company has informed me that no farmer in South Wexford or anywhere else has been asked or will be asked to curtail his acreage on account of the high freight subsidy. If the Deputy has any letter which is in any way incompatible with that statement, he should take the matter up with the sugar company and I am sure the position will be put right.