asked the Minister for Agriculture (1) the normal carry-over of millable wheat by flour and wheatmeal millers on 1st September of each year since 1945, (2) the estimated carry-over of millable native wheat at 1st September, 1962, and (3) the levy payable on a surplus above 280,000 tons of 20,000 tons of native wheat based on the price obtained at home and abroad for unmillable or surplus wheat from the 1958 to 1961 harvests.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Carry-Over.
17.
It is not clear what the Deputy means by "normal carry-over of millable wheat". While the licensed millers aim at a carry-over of about two months' supply of native wheat on 1st September each year, the quantity actually carried over depends on the quantity and quality of wheat of the previous years' production.
The quantity of native wheat to be carried over on 1st September, 1962, will depend mainly on the demand for flour during the current cereal year. The best estimate which can be made at this stage indicates that the carry-over will be in the region of 50,000 tons. If, however, the decline in flour consumption continues, the carry-over could be substantially greater.
On the basis of the average loss incurred on the disposal of surplus millable wheat of the 1958 and 1960 crops the levy required to meet the cost of disposal of a surplus of 20,000 tons is estimated at 2/- a barrel. The levy per barrel would of course be higher if the surplus exceeded 20,000 tons.