asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has seen a protest from the National Farmers' Association in which it is stated that the farmer's income is to be reduced still further by the imposition of a levy for the disposal of millable wheat in excess of 280,000 tons dried as against 300,000 tons dried in 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter having regard to the general dissatisfaction with the price paid for wheat and the fact that growers suffered great losses last season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disposal of Millable Wheat.
18.
I have seen the statement referred to.
There has been no change in the declared policy of the Government, which is to guarantee farmers a price for millable wheat for 75 per cent. of requirements. There is, in fact, no dissatisfaction with this price. In 1958, it was decided, as a result of consultations with the growers, to introduce the levy system under which losses on the disposal of home-grown millable wheat in excess of 75 per cent. of requirements would be met by the growers themselves. At that time, 75 per cent. represented approximately 300,000 tons. Since then, there has been a substantial fall in flour consumption, mainly because of the increased use of other food and food products, with the result that 75 per cent. of annual requirements now represents, at the most, 280,000 tons.
Stripped of all the verbiage, does that not mean that the price payable for wheat this year is being reduced by 2/- a barrel?
Stripped of all the Deputy's noise it means that the policy of the Government in aiming at producing 75 per cent. of the grist is being continued and that the guaranteed price is, as on previous occasions, applicable to that programme.
Would the Minister consider asking Deputy Medlar does that represent a reduction of 2/- a barrel for wheat? If he cannot get an answer from him, he might ask Deputy Gibbons to help him.
It represents an unaltered price.
You are the greatest bunch of frauds I ever met—shameless frauds.