asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the fact that the percentage of our agricultural production available for export is amongst the highest in the world and that the Food and Agricultural Organisation set up as a result of the Hot Springs Conference to deal with the organisation of the production, allocation and distribution of food is holding a further session in London in the near future, he will say whether it is his intention to send to that conference a suitable delegation conversant with the problems involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food and Agricultural Organisation.
The answer is in the negative. This country is not represented on the Food and Agricultural Organisation and we have not been invited to the forthcoming meeting which, it is understood, will be for members only.
The Minister, I am sure, appreciates that, in order to secure a fair margin to the primary producer, it is essential that international cut-throat competition should be eliminated and that that can be done only by international action. In view of the importance of this whole matter to a food-producing country like this, surely the Minister will agree that it is desirable to secure representation on F.A.O.? I understand that application to the director-general of that organisation will secure membership, and, if that is so, why will the Minister not take the necessary action to ensure that we will have a delegation there to look after our interests?
The Deputy's premises seem to be sound, but I am not so sure that an application for membership would be accepted automatically.
Has the Minister made any inquiry about the matter?
No.
Does the Minister not think there is some responsibility on himself and on the Government to watch the interests of the primary industry of the country and if that industry can be protected by any action such as this, to see that the necessary action will be taken?
Would the Minister say whether any countries not originally members of the organisation have been admitted on application?
So far as I understand, no country has been asked, if it is not a member of the U.N.O.
Does the Minister realise that it is not necessary to be a member of the U.N.O. in order to be a member of this F.A.O.?
Theoretically, that is true.
Actually it is true; and there are members at present who are not members of U.N.O.