asked the Minister for Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the unsatisfactory price level for grass seeds; and what he proposes to do to secure a remunerative return for the farmers of County Monaghan who produce the bulk of this crop.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Grass Seeds.
Mr. Moylan
As regards the first part of the question, I am aware that the price offered to ryegrass seed growers by the seed cleaning firms for the 1957 crop is appreciably below last season's price. I am informed that the lower price offered this season is due to the fact that prices on the export market have fallen considerably since last year and that there has also been a heavy carry-over of stocks from last season by most of the cleaning firms.
As regards the second part of the question, I am giving growers of ryegrass seed protection on the home market by means of an import prohibition. I do not control the price of ryegrass seed, of which there is normally an exportable surplus of a fairly substantial part of each season's crop.
As the Minister indicates he knows the difficulties with which grass seed growers are contending, does he envisage the possibility of any scheme whereby the price might be maintained at a reasonable economic level over a period of five or six years, hoping to recoup in future years what it would cost to maintain the price in the present year? Could he consider such a scheme?
Mr. Moylan
Any protection given to the growers is by means of an import prohibition. Is the Deputy suggesting that there should be a subsidy for the next five years?
What I am suggesting is that the Minister should consider a scheme providing for a reasonable price over the next five year period. If there was a surplus available for export in a future year, that surplus would be secured to compensate for the loss in the low price year. Would the Minister examine the possibility of that?
Mr. Moylan
I will consider it.
Would the Minister consider that the purchasers of grass seed will get it at a reasonable price also?
The farmers have enough people on their backs already, without others getting up on their backs also.
Order!