asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the increase in the cost of production of milk since the present price was fixed, he will consider increasing the price of milk supplied to creameries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Prices.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the prices payable to milk producers in the Dublin supply area are inadequate, having regard to existing production costs, particularly in the winter months; and if he will take steps to have them increased.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that a very large amount of dairy farmers are preparing to reduce or dispose of their herds because the cost of milk production has increased considerably since the existing prices for milk were fixed, thereby rendering dairying a most uneconomic proposition; and whether, having regard to the adverse effect that such a change would have on our agricultural economy, he will immediately fix a reasonably economic price for milk.
I propose, with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to take Questions Nos. 25, 26 and 27 together.
I have no evidence that the net cost of milk production has increased to any significant extent during the past year, nor am I aware of any noticeable tendency amongst dairy farmers to reduce or dispose of their herds. The existing prices allow, in my opinion, a reasonable margin of profit to producers and I do not propose to increase them.
In view of the fact that, since the present price of milk supplied to creameries was fixed, two increases in wages, amounting to 11/- per week, have been granted to agricultural labourers and that a further increase, as from the beginning of January, of 5s. a week is to be added, will the Minister say that a sufficient price will be given for milk supplied to creameries in order to enable the unpaid family labourer to get the same wages and conditions of employment as the agricultural labourers are getting?
The whole question of milk prices and costs of production as far as they are ascertainable is constantly under examination and review. The question on the Order Paper relates to the price of milk at present costs. If those costs increase in the future then that increase, obviously, must be taken into account and full consideration must be given.
Will the Minister say that the cost of wages has not increased in the past year, since the present price of milk supplied to creameries was fixed?
It is true that wages have increased. You had a certain wage increase on one side of the balance sheet and, on the other side of the balance sheet, there was unquestionably an increase in the price of a cow.
Will the Minister say why, if future wage increases are to be taken into account in determining the price to be paid for milk, the increase already given to workers will not have any effect in inducing him to raise that price?
Because, as I said, in the Deputy's time, the value of a calf was the value of a goat. Calves have gone up in value and that must be taken into account in reckoning a reasonable price for milk.
The Minister may not know that he is now talking utter nonsense.