asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the continuing decline in the dairying industry; that this position will inevitably lead to a serious shortage of our most valuable foods, milk and butter, in the future; and if so, if he will indicate what steps, if any, it is proposed to take in order to arrest the decline in this most important branch of our greatest national industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Dairying Industry.
While there has been a decrease during the emergency years in supplies of milk delivered to creameries, this decrease does not appear to be due to reduction in cattle stocks. The number of cows and in-calf heifers kept on farms shows no significant change. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to the White Paper on Guaranteed Market and Prices for Dairy Produce issued in January last.
Is the Minister aware that the quantity of butter in cold store this winter is very much less than the quantity that was there in 1945? Is that true?
That is true.
Arising further out of the Minister's reply, is he aware that this was a very unfavourable season for the production of food for cattle. Is there any hope of importing cotton meal and other feeding stuffs for cattle for the winter and spring so as to encourage production?
I could not answer that now.
Is the Minister aware that the cow-testing movement has been at a standstill for a great many years, and will he say what steps, if any, are being taken by the Government to implement the recommendations made by the Commission on Post-War Agricultural Policy?
That matter was very fully dealt with on the Estimate, and I could not deal with it now by way of question and answer. It would take 15 or 20 minutes at least to answer the question. As I say, it was very fully dealt with on the Estimate.
The supply of milk to the creameries has gone down by from 10 to 15 per cent. as compared with last year, and still the Government are doing nothing about it.