asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has yet completed arrangements for the inauguration of an oat purchase scheme for 1955, and, if so, if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - 1955 Oat Purchase Scheme.
It is not proposed to exercise official control over the price or the marketing of oats of the 1955 crop or to introduce a special scheme for the purchase of oats. As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware the market for oats as a cash crop is limited and the bulk of the oats grown is used by the growers for feeding to their own live stock.
During the past few months it has been found necessary to import oats to meet the requirements of flake oatmeal millers and others. I have already told the interests concerned that they should arrange before the present sowing season commences to ensure, by contracting with growers or otherwise, that their full requirements will be met from home sources during the coming year.