asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is proposed in the preparation of the 1962 Wheat Order to make provision for granting increases in commission and handling charges to licensed wheat agents; and when he expects that the 1962 Wheat Order will be ready for publication.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Agents' Commission and Handling Charges.
11.
I propose to make provision in the Wheat Order, 1962, for the fixing of the present maximum rate for commission as a minimum and to retain the present minimum rate for handling. This will leave the actual rates a matter for negotiation between the agents and the flour millers.
The Wheat Order, 1962, is expected to be ready for publication very shortly.
Is the Minister aware the grain traders have produced figures to prove that their expenses for these services have increased on average by about 40 per cent. and does the Minister not agree that, in the last analysis, those increased costs will be recouped from the farming community?
I do not know whether they will be recouped from the farmers or not but I do not regard it as part of my function to increase these charges at the expense of the farmers.
I am trying to safeguard the farmers. If this is not allowed, would the Minister agree that, in the last analysis, the grain traders will get it from the farming community and is the Minister not aware that the minimum will now be regarded by the millers as the maximum and that they have notified the traders to that effect?
Of course, I have been reminded of that fact before but I still think that this is a matter that should and must be settled beween them, that it is not a function of mine to increase these charges at the expense of the producer.