asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the recent group and other changes made by the Agricultural Wages Board affecting milk producers in the Cork Milk Board area, he is now prepared to fix the price which producers will receive from milk wholesalers and retailers in the Cork sales district at the Dublin sales district rate as there is now no difference in cost of production of milk in both areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Prices—Cost of Production.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state on the basis of the number of labour hours per cow in the costings carried out by University College, Cork, and the Cork Milk Producers' Association in 1946-47, viz., 155 hours per cow per annum, what is the increased cost of production per gallon of milk of a cow with a milk yield of 500 gallons attributable to (1) the Agricultural Workers (Holiday Remuneration) Order, 1950; the Agricultural Workers (Weekly Half-Holidays) Act, 1951, and (3) the recent Agricultural Wages Board Order as it applies to the Cork Milk Board area.
Mr. Walsh
I propose, a Chinn Chomhairle, with your permission to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together.
An estimate of this kind, basically related to a calculation applicable to the year 1946-47 and taking into account only some of the changes in the economics of milk production that have occurred since then would, in my opinion, only give an unreal and partial picture of the actual situation. As I mentioned in the House on the 27th June, I am considering the possibility of making arrangements whereby costs of milk production would be fully reviewed periodically. Without a full investigation, it would not be possible to say if an equalisation of the Cork and Dublin prices would be justified.
Would the Minister say, when he plans to have these costings carried out, on what basis of gallon per cow will the economic cost of milk production be based?
Mr. Walsh
When I have decided on the system of costings I will let the House know.
Has the Minister not yet turned his mind to the question of the number of gallons per cow which he will regard as the minimum yield in this connection?
Mr. Walsh
When we have produced the costings, the Deputy will be fully convinced——
I do not want to ask the Minister an unreasonable question. Before one can start a costings one must take some figure for the average yield of a cow—whether it be 350 gallons, 450 gallons or 500 gallons. That is a matter which the Minister will have to decide upon for the guidance of those who will carry out the costings. If and when the Minister comes to a decision in that regard I should be grateful if he would indicate to the House on what basis he will direct the costings authorities to proceed.
Will this be based on the same uneconomic output as in the case of the millers?
These costings were sent to the Minister's Department at the request of the Department. I would not think it too much trouble for his Department——
The Deputy is giving information. He is not asking a question.
It is 1.37d. per gallon.
In considering these figures, has the Minister taken into account the figures submitted by an eminent professor, or the amended figures submitted by Deputy Corry?
They have your figures.
You do not figure at all.