asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the average price per gallon paid for milk by creameries mainly engaged in chocolate crumb, evaporated milk and cheese production for the year 1950.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Prices Paid by Creameries.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the average price per gallon paid for milk by creameries mainly engaged in butter production for the year 1950.
I propose, a Chinn Chomhairle, with your permission to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together.
The average price paid by creameries for milk supplies received in 1950 cannot be accurately given until the annual audits of creamery accounts have been carried out. Preliminary returns collected by my Department, however, indicate that (1) the average price paid for milk by creameries mainly engaged in butter production for the year 1950 was 14.97 pence per gallon, and (2) the average price paid for milk by creameries mainly engaged in chocolate crumb, evaporated milk and cheese production for the year 1950 was 15.68 pence per gallon.
It must be remembered, however, that where milk is used for purposes other than butter-making, the skim milk is not returned to farmers but is purchased by the creamery. The average price paid for skim milk in 1950 is estimated to have effected an increase of approximately 3d. per gallon in the price of whole milk for those farmers who did not get back their skim milk.