asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the cost to Irish farmers in lost crops due to the presence of wild oats in the past year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wild Oats Menace.
2.
The loss to cereal producers in the past year due to the presence of wild oats was minimal. However, unless the stringent control measures as publicised by my Department are observed, serious losses could occur.
Would the Minister agree that this is a big threat to cereal growing? Is the Minister prepared to give assistance to the farmers by way of advice or otherwise to control and eradicate wild oats?
It has not become a problem yet. It is a serious problem in the UK where losses are estimated at £20 million per annum and for this reason the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries went to a great deal of trouble advising and warning people about this problem. Under the Department's cereal seed certification scheme less than 1 per cent of the crops inspected are rejected because of the presence of wild oats.
Is the Minister aware that in cereal growing areas it is becoming a menace, contrary to the Minister's information?
That is not in accordance with the information available to me.
I can assure the Minister that it is becoming a menace.