asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the serious shortage of suitable feeding oats for bloodstock; and if he will now issue licences to import oats.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Feeding Oats for Bloodstock.
25.
I am not yet in possession of evidence that would warrant a change in my attitude as conveyed in my reply to a similar Question on the 26th October.
Will the Minister ask his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, to institute inquiries amongst either the racehorse trainers or the feeders of bloodstock, with a view to ascertaining the position? My information is that there is serious shortage of suitable feeding oats.
Is the Minister aware that a publication which emanated from the Department commented on the very unsatisfactory character of feeding oats this year?
Is the Minister aware that the bloodstock owners have refused to make any contracts with those who are prepared to grow oats?
Would the Minister for Agriculture consider, before this difference of opinion grows into a feud between the bloodstock owners and the oats-growers, charging himself with the responsibility of locating supplies of satisfactory quality oats and placing persons who want supplies of such oats in touch with potential suppliers? Would the Minister not agree that that is not an unreasonable burden for the Department to undertake?
The Minister made an appeal to those with oats to put them on the market. It might be gathered from that that he wanted to see how much was available. If none were available, he would have to consider the request of the Bloodstock Breeders and Horse Trainers Associations. I understand these organisations are now meeting the National Farmers Association. We shall see what the result of that meeting will be.
Did the Minister say he had received no complaints?
No, I did not say that.
There is a grave danger that some racehorses may be removed out of this jurisdiction for training elsewhere because of the serious shortage of suitable oats for bloodstock.
Have the Department of Agriculture directed their attention to the fact that the conditions which have already operated to produce so much unsuitable wheat have also operated in the case of oats?
Worse.
It is not that the supply is not there but that a supply of good quality oats is not there.
The quality of the oat crop is not good.
I would not agree with that at all.
Certainly that is the position around us.
The Minister would have us believe and would tell us that we have never had a better year.