asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied that milk producers are sufficiently compensated financially to ensure that adequate milk will be available to meet the demands that are emerging on the world markets.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Prices.
8.
It is understandable that milk producers like producers of any other commodity would like to have higher prices if they could get them. I do believe, however, that the treatment of producers so far in our circumstances has been reasonable. The steady increase in milk production over recent years surely affords some evidence to support this view.
The Minister has, no doubt, seen the statement made by the secretary of An Bord Bainne in which he said that markets were secured and it was possible production might not be there to meet them. Has the Minister any further statement to make on the matter?
As the Deputy is aware, the Minister has introduced a scheme to encourage an increase in the numbers of cows and heifers.
While acknowledging that it is a good move on the part of the Minister, does he not consider it is a little late in view of the fact that the markets obtainable may not be met by the present milk production within the period? The Minister has no answer to that, apparently.