asked the Taoiseach (a) the acreage of wheat sown in (i) 1954 and (ii) 1966; and (b) the amount of wheat imported in 1966.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Acreage and Imports.
8.
The area of wheat in the State in 1954 was 486,368 acres. The corresponding figure for 1966 was 131,300 acres. The total quantity of wheat imported in 1966 was 289,591 tons.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that only half the acreage sown ten years ago is being sown now?
The price of wheat is guaranteed and every effort is made to get the farmers to grow it.
The price of wheat is guaranteed at the same figure as in 1954, despite the fact that the cost of production has risen by 50 per cent and the value of the pound has fallen by 20 to 25 per cent.
The figures for the acreage of wheat for the current year, when they are available, will, I hope, surprise the Deputy.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that is due to anything the Government have done? It is due to the slump in cattle prices when the farmers found they had to sow wheat to get some money.