Vol. 490 No. 6
46 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of stocks of intervention barley held by his Department on behalf of the European Union; if it is proposed to release this in the near future in view of the shortages of barley for pig and poultry producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10873/98]
There are 99,000 tonnes of barley currently in Irish intervention stores. Arrangements have been made for the sale of approximately 6,000 tonnes of this barley in three tranches commencing on 5 May 1998. My Department is monitoring the situation as regards the price and supplies of barley on the market and a decision will be taken on future sales in light of these factors.
