asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the suggested price of £38 12s. 6d. per ton for soft wheat under the Mansholt plan for cereals in the EEC; and that the fixed domestic price here is at a considerably lower rate; why this is so; and what action he proposes to take to increase the domestic price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Soft Wheat.
16.
I am aware that a common price of approximately £38 12s. 6d. a ton for wheat, for all EEC countries has been proposed. This is a wholesale price, related to a moisture content of 16 per cent and other factors, and is not a guaranteed price to the growers. When the usual margins and the differences related to moisture content are taken into account, the guaranteed price to growers in this country is not appreciably lower than the EEC price.
Would the Minister indicate to the House how much it is below the EEC price?
It would be roughly, on our basis of calculation, about £2 per ton. We must view these things in relation to our own circumstances.