asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of reports to the effect that there is a sharp decrease in the barley acreage this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Barley Acreage.
41.
Available information suggests that the barley acreage this year will be up to last year's level.
I am advised that sales of feed barley seed by merchants are below last year's level but that this is likely to be largely offset by increased sowings of seed retained by growers themselves. In addition the acreage contracted for malting barley is about one-third greater than in 1973.
Is the Minister not disappointed at the response to the appeal to grow more barley?
I am disappointed but at the same time I can understand it. The Deputy knows the amount of rain there was this spring and how difficult it was for farmers to get on to their land to do ploughing.
How is the Minister able to state that farmers retained seed barley and sowed it, because this would be an unusual practice?
There is an unusual reason why they should do it. As the Deputy knows, farmers in the past stored practically all their own seed but this year, because of the exceptional situation where seed barley was between £90 and £110 per ton, it is not surprising that they did do this.
Is the Minister aware that it is not a practice to be recommended, that farmers should sow their own seed when they have not a proper system of germination but that they should purchase the seed?
There are conditions under which it can reasonably be kept on the farm.
Was there any application made to the Minister's Department by farmers to have their seed tested?
That is a separate question and I could not possibly know the answer.