asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is a fact that a greatly increased acreage amounting to an extra 200,000 acres of spring wheat will need to be sown from now until the end of the sowing period in order to reach the safety margin; if he is aware that his Department's report on farm conditions in March has stated that it seems likely that the acreage under winter wheat will not differ greatly from last year's acreage; and if, in view of the seriousness of this position, he will make a statement as to what progress is being made and is likely to be made towards filling the extra 200,000 acres required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Spring Wheat Acreage.
Mr. A. Byrne
My Department's report on agricultural conditions in March stated that the final acreage under winter wheat would not differ greatly from last year's acreage. It also referred to the area sown with spring wheat by the end of March as being considerably greater than at the corresponding date in 1943. There has been a marked tendency on the part of farmers in the past two seasons to sow spring wheat rather than a winter variety; the very fine weather this spring enabled preparation for sowing in March and April to be made under favourable conditions and the reports of the tillage inspectors indicate that farmers generally are complying with the wheat-growing requirements of this year's tillage Order. Farmers are being continuously urged to sow as much wheat as they can during the coming weeks, and if they respond to the appeals there is a good prospect that the country's wheat requirements for the ensuing 12 months will be substantially met from this year's harvest.
Mr. A. Byrne
Can the Minister give the House an assurance that the proposals which he anticipates will be put into operation will be given effect to? Has his attention been drawn to a leading article which appeared in the Government's own newspaper a week ago in which it said that there is the danger of a shortage? The Irish Press of April 13th last says——
The Deputy may not read letters or newspaper articles during Questions.
Mr. A. Byrne
I will not read it. Only a few short weeks of the sowing season remain in order to fulfil requirements. Can the Minister give an assurance that serious efforts are being made to get our requirements fulfilled?
I think I stated that in my reply.
Mr. A. Byrne
The Minister gave no assurance to that effect, but said that every effort would be made to encourage it.