asked the Minister for Supplies if his attention has been called to the fact that supplies of cocoanut poonac expeller Ceylon, the analysis of which has been supplied to him, are available, and if he is prepared to issue a permit for importation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Permit for Importation.
I have no information as to the availability of supplies of the cocoanut cake to which the Deputy refers. So far as I can judge from the information at my disposal, there has been no difficulty in regard to supplies of suitable cocoanut cake, which have been available to an extent sufficient to meet the demand. As the Deputy is aware, it was considered necessary, for the purpose of providing in the best possible manner for the importation and distribution of our requirements of imported feeding stuffs, other than cereals, to confine permits for the importation of such feeding stuffs to one company. If that company applies for a licence for the importation of the particular variety to which the Deputy refers, the application will be duly considered.
And suppose that company does not apply for a licence to import this product, and that supplies are available and could be advantageously used for the feeding of livestock, will the Minister refuse to give any independent person the right to import on hazard if he wants to make the attempt?
There has been no demand for cocoanut cake in this country which has not been met.
I am fully aware of that. The Minister is aware that concentrated feeding stuffs are becoming increasingly difficult to get, and he is also probably aware that the introduction of a new feeding stuff is not an easy thing, because farmers are unfamiliar with it, and cattle may find it unpalatable at first and, therefore, very few people will undertake its introduction; but, supposing a firm comes forward and expresses willingness to bring it in, and if the Minister for Agriculture informs the Minister for supplies that the analysis of this product which I sent him is satisfactory and represents a useful cattle food, is the Minister prepared to permit these people to bring it in for sale to farmers?
If anyone wants this cocoanut cake brought in they can make a request to have it imported. Nobody has made such a request, nor is there any scarcity of cocoanut cake at the moment, nor is any scarcity anticipated.
This is not cocoanut cake. Supposing Animal Feeding Stuffs Ltd. decline to bring it in, and allow the shortage of concentrated feeding stuffs to continue, will the Minister allow somebody else to bring it in at his own risk?
There is no shortage of cocoanut cake. This is Indian cocoanut cake that the Deputy is referring to.
All these cocoanut cakes are not identical. There is a material shortage of linseed cake and cotton seed cake and if this alternative is available will the Minister allow those who are prepared to do so to bring it in?
If it is available and if anyone wants to buy it Animal Feeding Stuffs Ltd. will buy it for them.
You will not allow an independent firm to bring it in if Animal Feeding Stuffs Ltd. refuse to do so?
If anyone wants Indian cocoanut cake and if supplies are available, there is no reason why Animal Feeding Stuffs Ltd. should not import it.
I do not know of any reason. In the first place it is not Indian cocoanut cake, but the Minister could not be expected to understand the difference. I may add that I sent a detailed analysis of this product to his office last week but I do not expect him to understand that either. What I am concerned to ensure is that if Animal Feeding Stuffs Ltd. will not bring this product in, for some reason best known to themselves, why should not an independent firm be allowed to take the risk and to try to sell it? Why does the Government decline to anticipate shortage of supplies? I could understand the position if Animal Feeding Stuffs Ltd. wanted to bring it in and if someone else was going to be allowed to go into competition with them, because the scheme is to bring all in by the same source, but if Animal Feeding Stuffs Ltd. say that they do not want to bring it in, will an independent firm be allowed to do so?
I do not see why I should consider that question until someone in this country asks for this Indian cocoanut cake. I may say that it is commonly known as Indian cocoa-nut cake and my information is derived from authorities on the subject that are available. I never heard of this product until I saw this question, and then I asked what it was, and was told it was Indian cocoanut cake which no one has demanded. If anyone demands it it can be procured.