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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Apr 1945

Vol. 96 No. 23

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Barley Prices.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that farmers who could have obtained 45/- per barrel for their barley crop last year were obliged to sell this crop at 35/- as fixed by him; and if, in view of the farmers' experience that the latter price was uneconomic, he will now fix the price of the 1945 crop at 45/- per barrel.

I am aware that farmers, like other producers, would possibly have received higher prices for some of their products during the emergency if there had been no control of prices. Farmers as well as other classes in the State are satisfied, however, to accept a fair return for their labour and are not disposed to exploit the situation. I do not agree that the present price of 35/- is uneconomic and I do not consider that a higher or as good a price would have been obtained for the whole of the 1944 crop in the absence of control.

It has to be borne in mind, too, that many farmers are buyers of barley for feeding purposes, and it is in their interest as well as that of the community as a whole that the price of barley should be kept in line with the price of wheat and other agricultural products.

The supply position after the 1945 harvest is not likely to be substantially different from that which obtained last season, and I do not consider that there are good grounds for altering the present price of barley.

Does the Minister really believe that when he knows, as well as I do, that in parts of County Wexford they have good barley land where they cannot get a good crop of oats and those farmers are penalised by having their barley worth only the price of feeding for livestock? Messrs. Guinness wanted to pay 45/- a barrel for barley last year and the Minister would not agree to it.

I am not aware of many of the statements made by the Deputy.

Not aware? Did the Minister not tell me here last year that he would not do it?

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