asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider initiating a scheme for the improvement of hill grazing, and if he will inquire into the possibility of spreading artificial manure from the air over hill and mountain lands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Improvement of Hill Grazing.
Experiments laid down some years ago in County Donegal with a view to obtaining information as to the best means of tackling the hill grazing problem throughout the country as a whole are still proceeding. Further survey, experimental and pilot developmental work are needed to determine the techniques necessary to improve hill grazings economically. As to the second part of the Deputy's question, my Department is keeping in close touch with developments in aerial top-dressing of hill land in other countries. I understand that a certain amount of success has been achieved in New Zealand and the United States of America, where very large blocks of suitable land are available for treatment at one time. Conditions are, however, different in this country and a good deal of survey and experimental work would be necessary before any conclusion could be drawn as to the economic feasibility of aerial top-dressing here.