asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state on what basis the present price of 55/- per barrel for wheat has been fixed; if he is aware of the increasing dissatisfaction among farmers generally regarding this price, and whether he will again review this question having regard to the fact that 60/- per barrel is the minimum economic price at which this cereal can be grown.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Wheat.
The price of home-grown wheat has, since the inception of the wheat-growing campaign, been determined on the basis that it should provide a reasonably remunerative return to wheat growers. In each of the past two years growers have, on a voluntary basis, grown over 500,000 acres of wheat for which a price of 50/- per barrel was fixed. I do not agree that there is increasing dissatisfaction among farmers, generally, with the price which they are receiving for their wheat crops. The increased price of 55/- announced for the coming year should suffice to meet any increased costs of growers, and I do not propose to review the question of price.