asked the Minister for Agriculture what steps have been taken to deal with the large increase in the production of wheat and barley this season by the provision of proper drying and storage facilities; and, if no such steps have been taken, if he will approach the milling concerns in order to secure their co-operation in copying with the estimated increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drying and Storing Facilities for Grain Crops.
Mr. Moylan
The problem of dealing with the grain harvest this year is under active consideration. I have already discussed the question of the marketing of feeding-barley with representatives of the growers and I have arranged to see representatives of the provender millers and the barley purchasers next week.
As regards storage and drying facilities the Deputy is, no doubt, aware that a substantial increase in these facilities has been effected in the past three or four years. It is estimated that 38,000 tons of storage and 3,500 tons per day of drying capacity in excess of that available for the 1956 harvest will be available this year. While the total drying and storage facilities should be sufficient to meet normal requirements this does not mean that there will not be local difficulties from time to time. These problems will have to be dealt with as they arise but farmers themselves could help considerably by delaying threshing, where possible, and by making advance arrangements with the purchasers of their grain with a view to regulating deliveries.
While it is true, as the Minister states, that considerably increased storage facilities have been provided, they have been provided in the main by co-operative societies. Would the Minister bring home to millers that the farmers feel that they have their contribution made when they increase production and that there is a responsibility on the milling interests to take their coats off and to provide the increased storage facilities that the output of this year's harvest would require?