Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Mar 1974

Vol. 271 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Wheat and Barley.

20.

Mr. G. Collins

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is satisfied that there are plentiful supplies of seed wheat and seed barley available.

Mr. Clinton:

Adequate supplies of seed wheat and seed barley are available to meet the likely demand.

Mr. G. Collins:

Is the Minister in a position to comment on the fact that barley sold last autumn was fetching £43 a ton? The same seed barley, having been dressed up, is making £110 a ton in the spring of 1974. Can the Minister or his Department not do anything about this?

Mr. Clinton:

I have no comment to make. Anybody was free to buy barley at that time and to resell it for seed or any other purpose or to export it. We have no control over this situation and we cannot take any more control than there is at the moment. I should like to avail myself of the opportunity which this question provides strongly to advise farmers to grow substantially more grain in the coming year. That is one way they can ensure a better income.

Mr. Allen:

Is the Minister saying that farmers should get out of livestock and start growing more corn? Is this the policy of the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries?

Mr. Clinton:

Not necessarily. If we fertilise the land as it should be we could grow substantially increased quantities of grain and still have enough for livestock.

An Ceann Comhairle:

Question No. 21.

Mr. Allen:

What about the price of fertilisers?

Mr. G. Collins:

Would the Minister let us know whether he or his Department are willing to consider some form of control over the prices of seed barley, seed oats and seed wheat because of the fantastic profits being made at the moment?

Mr. Clinton:

If we can import cheaper seed we are free to do so. There is no restriction on imports.

Mr. G. Collins:

Can anything be done about controlling prices in this field?

Mr. Clinton:

No.

Dr. Gibbons:

Would the Minister review the decision in the making available of seed at cost to the congested areas?

Mr. Clinton:

I do not understand the Deputy's question.

Dr. Gibbons:

I am talking about the cost of seeds. The Minister indicated in reply to a question last week that there were sufficient seeds——

Mr. Clinton:

I answered that question last week.

An Ceann Comhairle:

Question No. 21.

Mr. Allen:

Arising out of the Minister's reply——

An Ceann Comhairle:

I have given a lot of latitude to Deputies. Deputy Allen must appreciate that. We must move on to the other questions. Question No. 21.

Mr. Allen:

Would it be advisable to import seeds?

Mr. Clinton:

I do not want to advise merchants. They know their own business. It is not my job to advise them.

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle:

No. 21 We must pass on to the next question.