asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that farmers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland can obtain 50 per cent. reduction of price in purchasing artificial manures; that the present subsidy of 6d. per cwt. in force here is not a sufficient inducement to farmers to undertake the expense of restoring their worn out pasture land; and if in the circumstances he will consider giving an increased subsidy for the purchase of these manures.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Artificial Manures.
I am not aware that farmers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland can, as the Deputy seems to suggest, obtain artificial manures at a flat reduction in price of 50 per cent. The Deputy's information with regard to this portion of the question is inaccurate. As regards the latter part of his question I do not agree with the Deputy's suggestions.
Is the Minister accusing me of telling lies? I want to tell the Minister that I have it from farmers in Northern Ireland that they can obtain a reduction of 50 per cent. in purchasing artificial manures.
Well, it is they who are telling the lies.
I am sure the Minister as representing one of the biggest tillage counties in Éire is in sympathy with tillage farmers and surely he knows in his heart and soul that the farmers in his constituency are not prepared and are not in a position to pay the prices demanded for artificial manures?
I know the Deputy would not tell a lie to save his life, but he is misinformed as to the subsidy given to the farmers in Northern Ireland. The farmers there get a subsidy for basic slag and for lime but no subsidy is given for phosphates.
What are the comparative prices for super-phosphate of lime in this country and in Great Britain?
I do not know anything about that.
Do you not know what super-phosphate of lime is?
I never heard of it.
What do you think super-phosphate of lime is? Is it the case that the Minister for Agriculture does not know what a manure, that is spread on land all over the country, is?
Mr. Morrissey
Is the Deputy surprised at that?
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will extend his scheme for subsidising artificial manures to include lime, as much of the land to be treated is very deficient in this very necessary mineral for building up bone in young stock.
A lime subsidy scheme, under which farmers obtain lime at reduced prices, has been in operation on a limited scale through county committees of agriculture since the year 1934-35. For the coming year the grant made available for the purpose from the Vote of the Department of Agriculture has been increased from £8,000 to £30,000 and the county committees continue to make a contribution to the scheme. It is expected that as a result of the encouragement afforded under the scheme there will be a general increase in the use of lime for agricultural purposes.
Would it be possible to give those poor unfortunate farmers, who have gone through six years of an economic war and nine months of the worst season in memory, lime free of charge?
Not free of charge.
What subsidy does the Minister propose to give?
The subsidy varies in different counties, but, roughly, it is 1/- per barrel.
How much a ton? There is no use in talking about barrels if you are going to lime land. I suggest to the Minister that he should give 10/- a ton.
Perhaps I should put it this way: there is a bigger subsidy in the counties where lime is very dear. Farmers can purchase lime for an average price of about 1/- a barrel.
And how many barrels go to the ton?
Eight barrels.
That is 8/- a ton. Would the Minister say who foots the bill? Is it the county committee of agriculture?
No. The Department, to the extent of about £30,000, and the different county committees to the extent of about £7,000.
Are we to take it then that lime, for the liming of land, will be subsidised to the extent of about 8/- a ton?
That is how it works out on the average.