asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by farmers in selling home-grown oats at present, he will state the quantities of imported oats likely to be landed between now and 1st September, 1946, so that traders may be in a position to judge what the supply position is likely to be.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Home-Grown Oats.
I am not aware that any difficulty exists in disposing of home-grown oats at a reasonable price at present and I cannot say what the likelihood is of further quantities of oats becoming available for import during the present cereal year.
Surely the Minister realises that merchants are going to operate very cautiously when they are in the dark in regard to imports of oats. If they had more information about the quantity that it is proposed to import they could operate with more confidence, and judge what the position was likely to be. I do not think it is fair to traders or farmers to continue to bring in oats without giving full and frank information about the quantity that it is proposed to import. I may say that a couple of traders told me that they did not know what the position was going to be. They stated that if they could get a picture of what it was likely to be they would know where they stood in that respect.
As I told the Deputy there is no difficulty in disposing of home-grown oats at present. The price is very good, and has been for the past five or six years. I am not in a position to say whether we can get any more oats imported and, if so, how much we might be able to get.
I can assure the Minister that a number of traders are not prepared to buy oats at present.
On account of the increased number of motor cars on the roads, there has been a decline in the consumption of oats, and there may be a glut at the end of the season, if too much foreign oats is allowed in.
I am sure the Minister realises, in the interests of traders and of the market generally, that farmers are entitled to know what the import position is going to be. That is bound to influence the price to some extent. I suggest that the Minister ought to consider giving that information to the country.
It is impossible to do so. I could not possibly say how much oats we will be offered for the rest of the year, and how much we will obtain.
If an unlimited quantity is offered are you going to continue taking it?
No. I do not think the Deputy need have any fears that the price of home-grown oats will be depressed.
There are stocks of oats in the country and naturally people who buy do not want to have to sell at a loss. At least, they want to realise the amount they pay for oats. They are also not prepared to pay more. I know that growers cannot sell at present, because traders are afraid to buy any oats in view of the possibility of heavy importations. I again ask the Minister what he proposes to do in regard to imported oats. If it is possible to do so, the Minister ought to consider the matter further.