asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has any proposals to encourage flax production.
Written Answers. - Flax Production.
830.
Development of flax production depends on the availability of a market outlet from milling and processing firms. No outlet is available in this country at present but some commercial interests are examining the feasibility of providing them. My Department is carrying out a trial to evaluate the characteristics of the various varieties of flax. Demonstration plots are under way in County Cork which will demonstrate flax production as well as the effectiveness of new methods of retting (separation of fibre and chives).