asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the prices being paid for farmers' butter by manufacturers are entirely inadequate; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have them increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farmers' Butter Prices.
It is not clear whether the word "manufacturers" is intended by the Deputy to refer to butter factories or to firms which use farmers' butter in the manufacture of confectionery. I understand that producers of farmers' butter are receiving reasonable prices, proportionate to the quality of their product, from the butter factories. I do not propose to interfere with the free market which now exists for farmers' butter.
Is the Minister aware that the buyers on behalf of the butter factories are paid in or about 2/3 per lb. for farmers' butter and that that price is entirely inadequate for reasonably good farmers' butter? Does the Minister claim that it is fair to allow a small number to take advantage of the fact that farmers' butter is plentiful at the present time, with a view to holding that butter and exploiting the consumer when butter becomes scarce in the winter?
In further reply to the Deputy, perhaps he is not up to date with the facts regarding this matter. The butter factories did attempt to buy butter at what appeared to me to be a grossly inadequate price. They did not continue that attempt for long and they are now paying 2/5 a lb. At the same time, a very considerable number of women who manufacture good butter are selling it direct to the consumer and get full value for their excellent product. As far as I am concerned, more power to their elbow.
Is the Minister aware that a very substantial portion—in fact, almost all—of the butter that is being bought by the factories is first-class butter?
I am not so aware, but if anyone sells first-class butter at 2/- I would invite the Deputy to have that person medically examined with the view to committal to a mental hospital.