Wheat crop purchase arrangements
Ahern asked how the 1983 crop would be purchased after Ranks closed and about the company’s milling licences. Deasy said annual negotiations were under way, he could not compel a company to buy Irish wheat, and ACOT would continue advising farmers; the licence response is cut off.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if any special arrangements have been made for the purchase of the 1983 wheat crop now that Ranks (Ireland) Ltd. have closed; if he will ensure that the company will purchase Irish wheat; if he will ensure that ACOT advisers will give adequate advice to wheat growers and tillage farmers who are extremely worried about the grain prospects for 1983; if he will further ensure that there will be no restrictions on ACOT advisers visiting tillage farmers; and what is likely to happen to the miller's licence which is held by the company.
Comment on this
Arrangements for the purchase of milling wheat are negotiated each year between the Irish Flour Millers Association and the IFA and I understand that negotiations in relation to the 1983 crop are currently taking place. I do not have power to require any particular company to purchase Irish wheat but I would point out that the millers' total requirements of wheat are about three times the quantity produced here last year.
I am sure that ACOT will continue to provide advice to wheat growers and tillage farmers as heretofore.
As regards the milling licences in respect of Ranks' mills, these licences are still valid and authorise the licensed company to mill wheat at the licensed premises.