asked the Minister for Agriculture the average price for feeding barley in the EEC countries for this season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Barley Prices in EEC Countries.
16.
Prices of barley in EEC countries are based on a system of target and intervention prices fixed at the wholesale stage. These vary from country to country, and within countries, depending on the degree of regional surplus or deficit, seasonality, quality differentials and other factors. Wholesale target prices fixed for the 1963-64 season in the member States are approximately as follows: France, £27 to £32 12s. per ton; Belgium and Luxembourg, £31 10s. to £32 19s. per ton; Netherlands, £29 6s. per ton; Italy, £25 14s. per ton and Germany, £34 8s. per ton. The prices relate to barley of specified standard, including a moisture content of 16 per cent. Prices actually received by farmers would of course be somewhat below those prices.
Would the Minister not agree that the price of barley in these countries is considerably above the guaranteed price in this State and would he not consider that, in view of this, the price here should be increased?
There are very many other important factors to be considered in relation to that question.
Would the Minister not consider that there is a good case for an increase in the price of barley here?
There is no comparison between the circumstances in the two cases.