asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there is an extensive profitable market for more peas; and, if so, if he will outline the prices paid in respect of this year's crop, and the total acreage of peas required in order to meet the demand.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pea Production.
10.
My information is that there is scope for a substantial increase in the production of vining peas and field-dried peas, particularly the latter.
The basic prices to be paid by the principal purchasers of vining peas of the 1967 crop, related to the "Tenderometer Reading" at which such peas are normally harvested for different purposes, are stated to be:—
|
For air-drying |
48/- to 48/9 per cwt. |
|
For canning |
40/- per cwt. |
|
For freezing |
50/- per cwt. |
The basic prices to be paid by the principal purchaser of field-dried peas of the 1967 crop are stated to be:
|
Marrowfats |
87/- per cwt. |
|
Blues |
74/- per cwt. |
It has been estimated that upwards of 10,000 acres of peas might be required to meet the demand for various types in the immediate future.
Can the Minister give a guarantee that in the event of farmers producing more peas, they will not eventually find themselves in the position that they will have no market for them?
If the 10,000 acre figure has any relevance whatever, there certainly is room for quite a substantial increase in the acreage during the coming year and the question of what would happen if they produced more than that is not likely to arise.