asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) what price is being paid at present by chocolate crumb manufacturers for milk supplied by creameries under the control of the Dairy Disposals Board to their factory at Rathmore, County Kerry, for the manufacture of chocolate crumb; (b) on what standards this price is based and (c) what prices the creameries in question are paying to their own suppliers of milk for the milk supplied to this firm.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Prices.
Mr. Walsh
As regards (a) and (b), it is not the practice to supply information relating to the trading of any individual concern and I am sure that the Deputy will fully appreciate the desirability of this general line of policy. As regards (c) creameries which sell milk for use in the manufacture of chocolate crumb do not purchase the milk from particular milk suppliers specifically for that purpose. Each creamery group purchases milk on the basis of its butterfat content only and in fact they are obliged to do so under the provisions of the Dairy Produce Act, 1924. The actual price which the creamery can pay for the milk depends on the various uses to which the milk supply generally is put, including buttermaking, cream, liquid milk, chocolate crumb, etc., and on returns from other trading activities. Where, however, the creamery requires to use whole milk, such as for sale for chocolate crumb, the suppliers who do not receive back their skim milk are paid for the skim on a gallonage basis.
Could the Minister give any information as to whether suppliers may expect any increased price as a result of the reduction in the price of sugar made obtainable to the chocolate crumb factories?
Mr. Walsh
That is a separate question.