asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that a firm has reduced its contracts for homegrown malting barley by 50 per cent. for the current season; and, if so, if he will take steps to offset the adverse effect this decision will have on the economy of farmers whose lands are ideally suited to the growing of this crop; and if, in order to encourage the growing of feeding barley in those areas, he will now announce a minimum price for the latter crop.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Growing of Barley.
The making of contracts for the growing of malting barley is solely a matter for the growers and the industrial users or their agents.
The price to be paid for feeding barley of the 1953 crop will depend on the prices prevailing for live stock and live-stock products when the crop is marketed and it is not proposed to fix a price for such barley. As I have already announced, imports of maize will be restricted to provide a market for all the feeding barley produced his year.
Was not a price fixed for feeding barley last year under similar circumstances?
I did not catch the Deputy's question.
Under similar circumstances was not the price fixed for barley last year? Why cannot that be done this year? Circumstances have not altered.
The price payable for feeding barley next year will depend to some extent on the price of maize. As from the 9th March, maize and barley are being sold by Messrs. Grain Importers at £32 per ton carriage paid for three parts maize, one part barley. Up to the 27th February, Grain Importers had purchased 10,000 tons of barley of the 1952 crop, while 15,000 tons were held by millers on that date. The price paid to farmers in 1952 was approximately 48/- per barrel (£24 per ton). This barley has been dried and was purchased by Grain Importers from merchants at £29 15s. per ton. I have not any further information for the Deputy. If the information I have given is not satisfactory to him, he will have to repeat the question.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give any solid reason why there should not be a guaranteed price for barley in view of the fact that we want to grow as much feeding stuffs as we can in the country?
I think that has been answered in the question. The price must be made to depend very largely on what the animals fed on the barley will realise on the market.
It is completely ridiculous to give a reply like that. The time is coming when you will have to give a guaranteed price for things other than wheat and beet, such as barley.