asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of reports regarding the soft wheat heap in the EEC; how this massive wheat surplus in the Community will affect Irish wheat producers; and the guarantees that can be given to farmers whose lands are suitable for wheat production.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Wheat Surplus.
12.
While there is a surplus of soft wheat within the Community it is relatively small in the context of the overall production and steps are being taken by the EEC Commission to ensure that it will not affect the normal marketing arrangements.
There is no reason why wheat production should not continue and, in fact, increase as growers here will normally obtain prices higher than the fixed intervention prices.
So far as Irish wheat producers are concerned this year the intervention price next August will be approximately £48 per tonne but having regard to the general level of world prices, growers in this country may expect a much higher price. In fact, the flour millers have agreed to buy their requirements at £58 per tonne.