asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers in the Inchabeg Rathmore, County Kerry, area have been offered 3d. per gallon by the local creamery for skim milk and, if so, whether he will ensure that at least 5d. per gallon is offered for the milk in question in view of the fact that its food value is worth that sum.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Price of Skim and Separated Milk.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that creameries, the property of the Dairy Disposal Company, in County Kerry, retain the greater part of the separated milk which normally should be returned to the suppliers; that the farmer is now paid at the rate of 2d. per gallon for the separated milk so retained; that the farmers are most dissatisfied with this rate of payment and have demanded 5d. per gallon, and whether he will have their claim investigated with a view to securing for the suppliers an equitable rate of payment for this milk.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together. I am informed by the Dairy Disposal Company that the price paid to farmers for separated milk retained by the company's creameries in County Kerry is 3d. per gallon. The same price is, I understand, paid by other creameries owned by co-operative societies who purchase whole milk from their suppliers. I consider that the price at present being paid is reasonable, and I do not propose to intervene in the matter.
Is the Minister aware that the price paid is not an economic one and that this milk is worth more than that in food value to the farmers themselves; that under the arrangement made by the Dairy Disposal Company with the chocolate company the price for whole milk is not a standard price? Will the Minister act as a mediator between the farmers and the Fry-Cadbury Company with a view to having an equitable price paid?
In reply to the Deputy's supplementary question, the facts are as I have stated them. If Deputy Flynn, however, or Deputy McAuliffe, would care to drop in and talk this matter over with me, I shall be very grateful for any additional information they can give me and I can assure them that if, as a result of our discussion, it appears that anything useful can be done I will be most happy to do it.