andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received a report on the milling and banking quality of wheat of the 1960 harvest; and, if so, whether he is prepared to make available the facts contained therein.
16.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milling and Baking Quality of Wheat.
15.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has seen the statement issued by the N.F.A. concerning the quality of the loaf baked recently from flour which contained 66? per cent. Irish and 33? per cent. Manitoba No. 2 wheat with an extraction rate of 70 per cent., if in view of these findings and of the other revelations in that statement he is satisfied that it is possible to increase the home wheat percentage in the grist; and, if so, what percentage of Irish wheat he will recommend should be used by the millers in their handling of the 1960 wheat crop.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
I have seen the statement referred to.
The important point in regard to the 1960 wheat crop is that I arranged to have all sound and sweet wheat purchased from growers at the prices payable for millable wheat. It should have been obvious to the N.F.A. that, in relation to the normal standards of millability, a large proportion of the 1960 crop would have had to be rejected.
Since it was not possible to secure agreement on the percentage of Irish wheat suitable for inclusion in the flour grist, I had tests carried out by four independent bodies. There were some wide disparities in their conclusions, but I decided that, on balance, I would be justified in making the millers responsible for a quantity representing about 35 per cent. of the crop. I propose to release the reports from these bodies at an early date.
Arising out of Question No. 15, is it not a fact that the Agricultural Institute report was to the effect that over 50 per cent. of the 1960 wheat crop was suitable for grist and the report from the Laboratory of the American Department of Agriculture was also to the effect that 50 per cent. of the wheat was suitable for bread? The third report, which was from St. Albans, which is controlled by the British and Irish Flour Millers was to the effect that only 30 per cent. of it was suitable and the Irish millers themselves said that only 25 per cent of it was suitable. In view of these facts, would the Minister now make a firm decision in the matter?
The Deputy is making an argument, not asking a question.
I have made a firm decision and, as I have stated in reply to the question, I propose to release not two but all four reports.
Would the Minister say whether or not his Party have received a big cheque for the coming general election from the Irish Flour Millers Association?
I heard a Deputy in the Opposition complaining some time ago because his Party in a recent bye-election did not receive subscriptions from a certain association.
In view of the variations which the Minister says he found in the reports submitted to him——
Which Deputy McQuillan found in the reports.
The Minister suggested there were variations in the reports submitted by the different laboratories. In view of that, does he not agree that a standard for wheat milling should be established?
The Deputy is making arguments, not asking a question.
People all over the world have been looking for such a standard for many years and have not been able to find it.
If one person's opinion is as good as another's surely the farmers should have a say.
When there is a difference of opinion among technicians then some poor creature like myself has to make a decision, and I have done that.
Surely the farmers should have a say in the matter.
17.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Agriculture whether it has been found possible to establish an agreed standard or method of assessment for wheat millability, which would allow the farming community some authority in the final decision on this matter.
The answer is in the negative.