asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether, in view of the serious decline in the production of milk which has resulted in a substantially lower production of butter in the current season compared with the past few years, and which is mainly due to uneconomic milk prices, he is prepared to take immediate action with a view to fixing the price of milk delivered to creameries during the coming season at the rate of 50 per cent. above the current price of 10 1/2d. per gallon, such increased price to remain in force pending the examination of the whole question of milk prices by the Agricultural Produce Costings Tribunal which it has been decided to establish.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Prices to Creameries.
A preliminary survey of milk supplies received by creameries in 1946 shows that there has been a reduction of approximately 6 per cent. as compared with 1945, but supplies in 1946 were virtually the same as in 1944. Weather conditions in 1945 were favourable for milk production but in 1946 they were consistently unfavourable.
Government policy in relation to the dairying industry is set out in the White Paper issued a year ago, in which it is stated that the guaranteed price for milk supplied to creamaries will be subject to variation up or down according as the costs of milk production rise or fall. Pending the establishment of a costings tribunal, the examination of milk production costs provided for in the White Paper is taking place.
Does the Minister not consider that by the time the costings tribunal can be set up and the findings published, it may be too late to do anything effectively to arrest the decline that has set in in production?
If the Deputy reads my reply, he will find that I have given him to understand that the examination of this whole matter which is provided for in the White Paper is taking place and that is, of course, subject to the establishment later of the costings tribunal to which he refers.