I had a discussion this morning on the question of grain. The position is that barley production would go down if the EEC price structure was applied. The reduction in price would be about £8 per ton. This would be shocking for farmers. Last harvest, farmers were paid £88.44 at 20 per cent moisture. If the price this year drops by £8 a ton, there will not be the incentive to grow barley. A similar situation applies to wheat. Housewives baking bread use a lot of Irish wheat or French wheat—what is known as soft wheat. It makes very good bread, better than we get from the bakers. Unfortunately, bakers use Manitoba wheat which attracts a tariff of £80 to £90.

Tapioca is replacing barley in animal rations and it does not vary in price. Last year, the price of barley increased progressively by £2.35 per month, the tapioca was brought in and beat barley on price as animal feed—a better energy-giving feed. I suggest that we try to get the EEC to agree that for the first six months barley would be used as animal feed and then let in tapioca. Where I live, barley is highly prized as it is in Cavan and Monaghan.

The Committee has adopted a report on this year's agricultural prices within the Community.

A high price for the grower militates against the person who uses it as feed. In Cavan and Monaghan barley is not grown.

If the Committee want to drop it——

It is not a question of dropping it. The Committee have adopted a report on agricultural prices.

There is a small problem here. Barley should be used in the first six months of the year and tapioca should not be let in.

What I suggest we do is to refer it to the Agricultural Sub-Committee so that they can consider the matter. I will have to take this stance in view of the fact that they have recently produced a report which has been adopted by the Joint Committee.

That is all right. How long will that take?

The next meeting of the Agricultural Sub-Committee.

But how long will that take?

Generally, in about two weeks' time.

You would need to refer it very quickly. Farmers are sowing barley at the present moment. They do not know what the price is, and nobody can make an agreement until the price is known. The position is really bad.

That concludes the business.

The Joint Committee adjourned at 7.05 p.m.