asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (1) the nature of the butter fat test required to qualify for 1/- per gallon for milk supplied by farmers to creameries, and (2) the average price paid by Dublin distributors to creameries for such milk; also whether milk supplied by creameries to the distributors is purchased on a butter fat test basis; and, if so, what is the average butter fat test in such cases.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Fat Test.
(1) The basis of calculation of the guaranteed price for milk supplied to creameries is that, over the year, 260 gals. of milk are required to produce 1 cwt. of butter. As each supplier is paid according to the actual fat content of his milk, any person supplying milk with a comparatively high test receives more per gallon than a person with a lower test, but the average price for milk used in the manufacture of creamery butter, taking the country as a whole, works out at the appropriate guaranteed price.
(2) The prices prescribed for milk delivered to Dublin wholesalers' premises were 1/1 per gallon for the period May to July, 1943; 1/6 per gallon for August and September, 1943, and 2/- per gallon for the period October, 1943, to April, 1944. I have no information as to the extent, if any, to which such milk is purchased on a butter-fat test basis, nor as to the average butter-fat content of the milk.
The Minister states that, generally, the guaranteed price is paid for milk, but I think that I can prove that, in one particular case, at least, it is not paid. In the particular case I have in mind, in the month of December the price for milk was 10.68d. per gallon for milk having a butter-fat content of 3.80. In the month of January the price per gallon at the same creamery—the same owner being concerned—was 11.36d. for milk having a butter-fat content of 3.60. Therefore, it would appear that milk having a lower butter-fat content returns a better price. I have had complaints from several districts with regard to the price, and I am satisfied, from inquiries that I have made, that a butter-fat test of from 3.5 to 3.10 for fresh milk, supplied to Dublin distributors, for human consumption in the City of Dublin, is sufficient. My information is that very few farmers are getting the guaranteed price of 1/- per gallon for their milk, and I suggest that my figures prove that that is so. I suggest to the Minister that there is something wrong, wherever it is wrong, and I should be very glad if he would take steps to ensure that farmers would get the guaranteed price for their milk on the butter-fat test. Will he take steps to see that farmers, generally, will get the guaranteed price for milk?
I cannot guarantee that any individual creamery will pay the guaranteed price, because one individual creamery might not be able to carry on as economically as the average creamery, but a content of 3.6 is the average of the butter-fat content over the whole year.
But I have pointed out that in one case the price was 11.36d. per gallon for a test of 3.60, and that in another case it was 10.68d. per gallon for a test of 3.80. I have another case where the price was 10.50d. for a test of 4 per cent., but I am not too sure if that is correct. However, I am pointing out to the Minister that there is something very wrong in connection with the price of milk, and I suggest that he should take steps with regard to it.