asked the Minister for Agriculture what percentage of our total milk production is tuberculin tested.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tuberculin Testing of Milk.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
asked the Minister for Agriculture what is the present position in regard to the availability of tuberculin tested milk for Dublin.
The quantity of highest grade milk which is, of course, the produce of tuberculin tested cows, at present available for sale in the Dublin area is about 3,000 gallons per day. This quantity represents about 4¾ per cent. of the total daily consumption of milk in the area. The Deputy may also be interested to know that the quantity of pasteurised milk sold in the area is about 54,400 gallons per day or 84½ per cent. of the total consumption.
Arising out of the question, I should like to say that I am interested only in the tuberculin tested milk. I should like to know whether the Minister is aware that there is tuberculin tested milk available for Dublin but that the distributors will not avail of it because the market is not large enough. Is the Minister so aware?
I am not so aware. I am at a loss to know exactly what the Deputy wishes me to do. Does the Deputy suggest that I should increase the price of tuberculin tested milk?
No, I do not, but I am seeking to get the Minister to have the matter investigated in an effort to have wider use made of tuberculin tested milk. There are certain quantities of this milk available.
The facts are that there are 3,000 gallons of tuberculin tested milk available daily and I cannot quite follow what the Deputy would have me do.
To ensure that the tuberculin tested milk which is available is availed of to the fullest possible extent.
I cannot compel people to buy it.