asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will account for the decline of almost 50 per cent in the past three years in commercial grass seed production; and if he will indicate Government policy in relation to this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grass Seed Production.
47.
The decline in the production of grass seed in recent years, which is not as rapid as the Deputy indicates, is attributed to various factors such as sharp fluctuations in world prices and changes in the import requirements of some importing countries affecting exports, a decreased demand for uncertified commercial seed and less ground suitable for ryegrass seed production being available because of the reduced potato acreage in the grass seed producing areas.
Government policy is to encourage the home grass seed industry as far as possible by, for example, providing for the certification of grass seeds, encouraging production of such seed under contract and by taking purchases of home grown seed into account in connection with the grant of licences to import ryegrass seed.
A lot of long-winded phrases. Could the Minister not answer a simple question in a few sentences?
Could the Minister give any indication as to whether this decline in grass seed production will continue?
I do not like to go into the crystal ball business but the Deputy will be aware that in more recent times there has been increased emphasis on pedigree strain grasses and their use. One of the consequences is that the use of commercial ryegrass and commercial Italian ryegrass has tended to drop. There are other factors also such as the fluctuations of the export market.
Can we not produce pedigree grass seed also?
Of course, predictions are the prerogative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, are they not?