asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in order to circumvent the present abuses exploiting the need to subsidise butter for export, he will consider arranging that all butter accepted for export be given a suitably distinctive yellow colour and so prevent the reimportation or smuggling of such butter for resale to the public.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter for Export.
I regret to have to inform the Deputy that his suggestion would not be practicable or indeed desirable. It is not known at the time of manufacture of the butter whether it will be sold on the home or export markets, but even if it were feasible to add the suggested colouring matter at that or any later stage, the market value of the butter would, as a result, be considerably reduced.