asked the Minister for Agriculture (a) the amount of pollard in tons imported into this country from 1st January, 1962, to the latest available date, (b) the countries of origin, and (c) the analysis of each cargo.
22.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Pollard and Wheat Offals.
21.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the import of wheat offals is subject to restriction; if so, whether any group of persons or companies have concessions in this regard; who they are; what the concessions are; and if he will give the quantities imported during 1962, and their countries of origin.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
Imports of wheat offals are subject to licensing control, but no group of persons or companies have concessions in this regard. Details of the analysis of each cargo are not available.
As the particulars of imports of wheat offals since 1st January, 1962, are in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following are the particulars:—
IMPORTS of Wheat Offals (Jan.-Aug., 1962)
Tons
|
Total |
U.S.S.R. |
Argentina |
Algeria |
Poland |
Senegal |
|
83,775 |
48,800 |
33,581 |
992 |
202 |
200 |
Is the Minister aware that a great deal of this so-called pollard had no feeding value whatever, on analysis?
I am not so aware.
If the Minister is not so aware, will he take steps to ensure that his Department will see to it that analysis will be taken of all of this pollard that may come into the country from this day forward?
We make a limited analysis but it is not sufficiently extensive to enable one to speak authoritatively on the subject. However, analysis has been made as between the imported offals and the offals produced at home. Although the basis for that analysis may not be entirely satisfactory, the results are there.
Might I remind the Minister that only a few seconds ago he told me that no analysis was taken? Now he says there is analysis. If analysis is taken, will the Minister make it available to the House——
——based on a limited check. If the Deputy asks me a question on the subject, I shall——
The question is on the Order Paper. I am asking if the Minister will make the analysis available.
I have given the Deputy the information available to me. If the Deputy wishes to have further information on this subject, he can contact An Foras Talúntais who, I understand, have made an analysis of the imported and the home-produced offals.
Would the Minister not consider it is all the same——
This is a matter of opinion, not a question.
The Deputy asked the question——
——several times.
It is of some importance to the farmers who will buy this feeding stuff. The great majority of it consists of ground oat hulls which have no feeding value whatever.