asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he anticipates an increase in the cost of feed grains in the coming year; and, if so, if he will state its likely effects on pig and poultry producers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Feed Grains Prices.
12.
It is difficult to forecast the movement of cereal prices especially in the present conditions of tight world supplies where political events can strongly influence prices. Increased sowings of cereals are, however, expected this year and if yields are up to average prices should ease in the second half of the year.
Is the Minister aware that even at the moment there are variations of up to £14 per ton between one compounder and another?
I was not aware that the variations were as much as that although I was aware there were some variations. I had hoped and expected that as approximately 23 per cent of the compounding is in the hands of the farmers themselves, through the co-operatives, competition would keep the price right.
Will the Minister state if he proposes to have a substitute for An Bord Gráin? It was supposed that a co-operative would replace An Bord Gráin which was providing a service for the people concerned.
That appears to be a separate matter.
It is quite relevant. The transport of grain was controlled and subsidised. Has the Minister anything in mind for the coming year's crops? Grain that was bought at £45 per ton is now on sale at prices between £80 and £90 per ton.
The power to control the export of grain has passed from our hands since we became members of the EEC—by this I mean between members of the EEC.
I am referring to the home market.
I am calling Question No. 13.
This is a very important matter.
Can the Minister indicate if the excessive prices charged for barley are due to increased world prices or is it a question of the grain merchants getting excessive profits on the previous year's crops?
I do not think the grain merchants are getting excessive profits. In any case, the grain grower is quite entitled to hold on to the grain and use it himself.
It was bought for £40 or £50 per ton but it is now selling at £70 per ton.
Would the Minister be good enough to tell the House if, in his view, we will have a pig and poultry industry in 12 months time in view of the way things are going now?
I am calling Question No. 13.