asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that at a recent meeting of the Meath Committee of Agriculture it was stated that there was great danger of a shortage of imported and native seed wheat, and that the price will be prohibitive, and if, in view of this statement, he will make a statement on the position, and indicate the likely price per barrel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Wheat.
I am aware of the statement to which the Deputy refers. In view of the higher prices paid this year to growers by seed wheat assemblers it is to be expected that the prices to be charged by seed merchants will be correspondingly higher. I do not agree, however, with the assertion that the price will be prohibitive, particularly having regard to the higher price payable for the resultant crops.
It is probable that only limited supplies of imported seed wheat will be available and that prices will be higher than in previous season. Growers desiring to obtain imported seed should make arrangements immediately with their suppliers so as to secure their requirements.
There should be no question of any shortage of seed wheat if all growers will notify merchants now of their probable requirements and so enable the seed trade to provide themselves with the necessary stocks well in advance of sowing time.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the scale of prices at which home-grown and imported seed wheat will be made available to growers for the present sowing season.
As the price of seed wheat is not officially controlled I am not in a position to furnish the information requested.