asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the Government's policy concerning home-grown wheat acreage; (b) the target acreage to be aimed at; and (c) the steps he intends taking by inducement or otherwise to secure that acreage; and further, if he will now state the price to be paid to producers of home-grown wheat for the 1958 harvest so as to enable farmers to decide on the acreage they will grow if the financial inducement is sufficient and to make the necessary arrangements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Acreage.
The aim is to produce the maximum quantity of millable wheat which can be used in the production of bread of reasonable quality. The acreage will be determined mainly by the yield and the proportion of home-grown grain to be used. It is not possible to forecast the yield in advance, and the question of the maximum extent to which native wheat may be used is under examination.
I propose to make a statement at an early date in regard to the matters referred to at (c) in the Deputy's question which are at present under examination.
Is it not obvious that Deputy Corry's political conscience is worried at the moment?