asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the serious plight of small farmers in the Slievemargy area, Laoighis; that these farmers, who are dependent on such crops as they can raise on poor soil to provide feeding for their farm animals, are faced with the prospect of not having any-feeding for the animals this year owing to the failure of their hay, grain and root crops, which has arisen from lack of labour and poor weather conditions; further, that at the present moment their live stock is not in a saleable condition, with the result that they are unable to realise money to sustain themselves and their families; and whether, in order to relieve the distress, he is prepared either to arrange for the purchase of the unsaleable live stock or to see that these farmers be permitted to purchase as much beet pulp as they require to feed the stock; alternatively, if he will state whether his Department can do anything to ameliorate the present position in this district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Position of Laoighis Farmers.
I am not aware that there is any degree of distress among the small farmers in the Slievemargy area which would justify their being regarded as in a serious plight, though there have been some losses of fodder crops, as in other parts of the country, due to the unusually bad weather this year. I understand that many of the smallholders in the area derive supplementary incomes from industrial sources. I do not consider that the situation in that particular area calls for any exceptional measures.
Would it be possible for the Minister, since there is no official information in his Department regarding distress in this part of the county, to secure a report from the Laoighis County Committee of Agriculture, or from the agricultural instructor for the county, as to the seriousness of the position there?
Inspectors of the Department have inspected the area.
In view of the shortage of feeding-stuff for live stock and of the circumstances arising there, would it be possible for the Minister to permit these people to purchase as much beet pulp as they require, in the light of the very serious feeding-stuff shortage existing in that part of the county and the complete loss of the hay crop?
I do not know if it is possible to interfere with the distribution of pulp as it has been going on for the past three or four years, but I am informed that the people of the area have never shown any great interest in beet pulp as a feeding-stuff.
Would the Minister be prepared to inquire further into the matter if further information is placed at his disposal by the county committee of agriculture?
Yes.