asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the quantity of farmers' butter in cold storage at present and also the manner in which it is intended to dispose of it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farmers' Butter.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (1) the quantity of farmers' butter purchased by his Department from the date on which a subsidy was first paid to the date on which it was withdrawn; (2) the quantity of this butter which was found unfit for human consumption during the period in question; (3) the quantity resold for use other than human consumption; (4) the quantity which had to be destroyed, and (5) the total loss sustained by his Department on this butter.
I propose with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together. The total quantity of farmers' butter purchased by the Butter Marketing Committee during the period referred to was 16,427 cwt. The quantity found to be unsuitable for household use was 2,833 cwt., of which 695 cwt. was resold for manufacturing purposes. None of the butter has been destroyed. The manner of disposal of the remaining 2,138 cwt. of butter at present in cold store is under consideration and, until such time as a decision has been reached, it is not possible to say what loss will be incurred.