asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has decided to withhold supplies of home-produced mill offals from licensed manufacturers of compound feeding stuffs; and, if so, if he will state (1) the sources from which regular supplies of mill offals can be imported; (2) the price prevailing for imported offals; (3) the price prevailing for home-produced offals; (4) the effect of the change on the controlled prices of compound feeding stuffs; (5) the probable effect on the production of compound feeding stuffs, and (6) the effect on employment with licensed manufacturers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mill Offals.
When introducing the Estimate for my Department on 15th June last, I gave my general views on the question of distribution of native wheat offals and stated that, in deference to the views of Deputies from both sides of the Dáil, I proposed to make all the native offals available for straight sale to feeders. Following consultation between officers of my Department and representatives of the manufacturers of compound feeding stuffs, the latter proposed that, as an alternative to using imported wheat which was then on offer to replace the native offals in compounds, they would endeavour to make their own arrangements for the importation of wheat offals. This proposal was agreed to and the monthly allocations of native wheat offals to compounders have been progressively reduced since July last in order to enable them to arrange for imports. Approximately 5,000 tons have been imported up to the end of September, and it is understood that arrangements are being made for the importation of further substantial quantities. I accordingly propose as from 30th October to discontinue the issue of special allocations of home-produced offals to licensed manufacturers of compound feeding-stuffs and to make the total output of the mills available for straight sale.
While no guarantee can be given in present circumstances regarding the question of continuity of supply of imported offals, it is my opinion that those manufacturers who make sufficient effort to procure supplies abroad will succeed in doing so. Such assistance as my Department may be in a position to give to prospective importers will be given to them.
The wholesale price for home-produced offals is £12 10s. per ton as compared with the present price of approximately £21 10s. for imported offals.
Depending on the proportion of wheat offals in particular compounds, the increase in price may amount to up to £3 per ton.
In my opinion, there is no reason to assume that there will be any serious reduction in the output of compounds, provided the manufacturers continue to market a satisfactory product.