asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the erection of butter factories in portions of County Cork, other than creameries, for the separation of milk and the manufacture of butter; if so, if permission was sought for and given for the erection of such factories; if, in the case of such a factory erected at Dripsey, County Cork, it was intimated to the proprietor or proprietors by the Minister or his Department that they were at liberty to withdraw supplies from Berrings Co-operative Creamery (a neighbouring creamery) but were not further to interfere with supplies from the Department Creamery at Coachford, County Cork; what are the Minister's intentions with regard to such factories, seeing that they are operating to the detriment of registered creameries, and are not even liable for the payment of the Government levy on creamery manufactured butter, and are therefore entering into unfair competition with established creameries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Factories in Co. Cork
I am aware that premises other than creameries have recently been established for the manufacture of butter from the milk supplies of a number of farmers and are being worked to the detriment of co-operative creameries in various places. Licences under the Creamery Act, 1928, for the establishment of several of these dairies have been applied for but have not been granted. No such intimation as that suggested in the question has been given to the proprietors of the premises at Dripsey.
It is my intention not to sanction the establishment of premises of the kind referred to in districts where they are likely to interfere with the development of the manufacture of dairy produce along creamery lines, which is, I am satisfied, the better system in areas where the quantity of milk available for butter production justifies the erection of creameries. Applications for licences for their establishment in areas not suitable for creameries would receive favourable consideration.
It is proposed to introduce legislation in the near future to take further powers to deal with the establishment of dairies in respect of which a licence under the Creamery Act, 1928, is required and has not been obtained.
Is the Minister not aware that the establishment of this new factory is interfering very considerably with the supplies to the two creameries mentioned in my question?
Dr. Ryan
I think the Deputy asked whether this factory got a licence or not. They have not got any licence.
Am I to understand that this is a complete reversal of the policy pursued up to the time the Fianna Fáil Party came into office? Here we have, in the cases I have mentioned, a number of farmers interested in a co-operative undertaking, which I presume the Minister also stands over, of establishing these butter factories and these creameries, and does the Minister not know that the establishment of these butter factories and creameries in these areas will seriously affect supplies to the creameries I have mentioned?
Dr. Ryan
If the Deputy listened to my reply he would know it is not a reversal of policy on my part. I stated that it was not. I intend to introduce legislation to deal with these matters.
Will that legislation become retrospective or is it possible for any number of persons who intend to establish a butter factory now to do so?
Dr. Ryan
But they have not licences and under the new legislation they will not be allowed to operate without licences.
But will these factories get licences?
Dr. Ryan
No.
All right.