asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the quantity of cereals being imported into Ireland at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Importation of Cereals.
83.
The following is the information sought. During the period January-June 1988 a total of 118,696 tonnes of cereals was imported comprising: wheat — 118,303 tonnes, barley — 251 tonnes and oats — 142 tonnes.
The total amount of cereals imported for the period January-June 1989 was 94,722 tonnes as follows: wheat — 93,707 tonnes, barley — 890 tonnes and oats — 125 tonnes.
The volume of wheat imports in 1988 was due to the fact that supplies of Irish milling wheat were inadequate. However, the final figures for 1989 are expected to show a much lower figure for imports.