asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the apparent indifference of the British Ministry of Food towards our surplus butter, cream, cheese, and other dairy products, as well as bacon and eggs, he will now give advice to our farmers as to the lines of production they should follow in the future with the feeling that a remunerative market would be available to them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Production.
The problem of selling our surplus dairy produce to Great Britain is entirely one of price. If we were in a position to offer butter and cheese to the Ministry of Food at prices acceptable to them, I have no doubt that the Ministry would be prepared to take such quantities of both of these commodities as are within our capacity to produce. I have already advised dairy farmers that it would be in their best interests to accept a free market for butter subject to a guaranteed minimum with a Government guarantee of stability at not less than this minimum level for a period of five years, and I am still convinced that acceptance of this proposal would have resulted in an era of prosperity for the industry.
As regards live stock and live stock products, the trade discussions with the Ministry of Food have not been concluded, and I believe that it may be possible to reach an agreement satisfactory to both parties.
Assumptions in regard to the state of mind of the Ministry of Food on these topics are not conducive to the improvement of the atmosphere in which these discussions are proceeding.
In view of the Minister's off-repeated statement, as showing the importance of announcing well in advance the price or prices that producers might expect to receive for the commodities mentioned in this question, does he not think that now, in the middle of 1950, he should be in a position to tell us what prices will prevail for these commodities in 1951?
I do, but, as the Deputy is aware, I am obliged to consult the convenience of the Minister of Food in Great Britain who is the other party to these negotiations. I think the Deputy will agree with me that, if circumstances at all allow, the wise and prudent course is to consult his convenience to the limit of my ability. Until I hear from him which, I may say I have reason to expect at an early date, I am not in a position to give the Deputy the precise information which he wants and which I frankly would have wished to be in a position to give him earlier than that.
It is a pity the Minister did not appreciate these difficulties at an earlier stage.