asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the date as from which the export of butter, except under licence, has been prohibited, and whether he will state, further, the total quantities of butter in respect of which export licences have been issued up to date and the quantity exported each week subsequent to the commencement of the issuing of export licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Exports.
The export of creamery butter except under licence was prohibited as from the 3rd November, 1939, with the object of ensuring that all creamery butter exported commercially to the United Kingdom would be consigned to the British Ministry of Food, the sole purchasing authority. From that date until the 5th of last month the quantity of creamery butter exported under licence was 269,399 cwt. On 5th November, 1940, an order was made prohibiting the export, save under licence, of non-creamery butter. On the same date the export of small lots of butter as gifts, which had previously been allowed, was stopped. Since then export licences have been given for (a) 200 cwt. of creamery butter in respect of an uncompleted contract; (b) 671 cwt. of tinned non-creamery butter; and (c) 7 lb. to private persons.
Could the Minister say if the butter now being exported under licence comes from cold storage or from individual creameries or from what source?
Probably from cold storage.
A beautiful mess has been made of it.