asked the Minister for Agriculture the position regarding the 1981 wheat crop; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Crop.
13.
Present indications are that winter wheat sowings are in the region of 70,000 acres. Estimates of spring wheat acreage will not be available for some time yet.
As the Deputy is aware, negotiations on the price of milling wheat from the 1981 crop have recently been satisfactorily concluded by the Irish Flour Millers' Association and the Irish Farmers' Association.
Is there sufficient seed wheat available in the country at present to meet the demand?
There are difficulties in relation to the amount of seed wheat available for spring sowing. I think this arose in discussions I had on 6 February with millers, growers and seed importers. Every effort was being made by them to get agreement, which they did on 9 February, to go out to secure sufficient seed in Europe where they expected it would be available.
How much seed wheat is available at the moment in the country?
In this country, about 15,000 tons.
What would be the tonnage needed for the 1981 crop?
It would depend on the demand. Last year it was 5,800 tons but as the Deputy will be aware from the figure given, the 70,000 acres of winter wheat doubled compared with last year.
A final supplementary from Deputy D'Arcy.
Sorry, I was not finished. It would depend on the demand from farmers for spring wheat sowing. The growers, farming organisations and millers had discussions with me on 6 February and on 9 February they agreed their prices and every effort was being made to secure sufficient seed to meet the demand.
Is the Minister satisfied that there is sufficient seed wheat to meet the demand for the 1981 crop?
Yes, I would hope so.