asked the Taoiseach if an index of agricultural land prices is maintained and, if so, if he will state the percentage by which land prices have risen since 1972, the percentage by which the price of each of the major agricultural products has increased over the same period and the percentages by which prices and wages have risen.
Written Answers. - Agricultural Land Prices.
An index of agricultural land prices is not compiled and the information requested by the Deputy in respect of increases in land prices is therefore not available. The remaining price increases, in so far as data are available, are as follows:
Price Changes, 1972-1978 |
|
Agricultural Output Price Index: |
% |
Livestock |
+191 |
Livestock Products |
+207 |
Crops |
+183 |
Agricultural Input Price Index of Farm Materials (a) |
+198 |
Agricultural Wages (b) |
+153 |
(a) Farm materials comprise feedingstuffs, fertilisers and seeds purchased retail by farmers. The index used for 1978 is provisional.
(b) Change between the average minimum weekly rate payable to adult male agricultural workers in 1972, as fixed by the Agricultural Wages (Minimum Rates) Orders, and the minimum weekly rate payable in 1978, as fixed by the Employment Regulation Orders of the Agricultural Workers Joint Labour Committee.