asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has examined the possibility of exporting milk products and butter in view of the improved supply available for home consumption and the increasing production of milk.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Production and Exports.
The Deputy may rest assured that this matter is receiving constant attention in my Department. While it is probable that, given normal weather conditions, the output of creamery butter this season will be considerably higher than for many years past, it is doubtful whether, after providing for home consumption on the basis of the increased domestic ration of 8 ozs. per week, there will be any substantial surplus available for export. It must be remembered, however, that, taking into account the present guaranteed value of milk delivered to creameries, the price obtainable for creamery butter abroad is less than the cost of production. It seems to me, therefore, that the wiser course is to expand our exports of other milk products such as cheese, condensed and dried milk and chocolate crumb, for which satisfactory prices can be obtained. Plans for a substantial increase in our exports of these commodities during the present year are being worked upon, and a market for home-made butter is also being sought, though the latter involves such formidable difficulties that I strongly recommend any who have the alternative of disposing of milk other than by converting it into home-made butter for bulk sale should avail of it.