asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the decline in butter production by practically one-third, since 1936, and the statutory increase in agricultural labourers' wages of 11/- per week coupled with a serious increase in local rates since the present price of milk supplied to creameries was arranged last year, he will consider arranging for an increased price for milk to the farmer to cover his extra cost of production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increased Milk Price.
The cost to the Exchequer of maintaining the present prices of milk for the farmer and of butter for the consumer is over £2,250,000 annually. Any increase in the price of milk delivered to creameries would add very substantially to that charge on public funds, and could not, in present circumstances, be justified, but as improved methods of grassland management make the realisation of our aim to produce butter from growing grass more proximate the consequent reduction in our costs of production should materially increase the dairy farmers' profit and that is what matters.
In view of the fact that the prospects outlined may take years to accomplish, and that the costs of production have considerably increased at the present time, does the Minister think it is just to compel the farmer to sell his product at the same price as he had been selling it at when the weekly wage of the worker was 11/less than it is at the moment, and when the farmer's rates were lower than they are at the present time.
When the Deputy says that this development may take years to mature, he is apparently overlooking the fact that I am now Minister for Agriculture.
Tell that to the Cavan farmers.