asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to a letter from the Dairy Disposal Company Limited to all suppliers stating that the early notification of results of tests inserted in the supplier's pass book is provisional and subject to correction on re-check and that payment of the special price allowance for premium grade milk is in all cases based on results of tests as finally checked; and if, as this would indicate that the results of tests in suppliers' pass books are not necessarily accurate and as suppliers are anxious to get clarification on this point, he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality Milk Tests.
12.
Under the Creamery Milk Quality Grading Scheme samples are check-tested by inspectors of my Department and, where the result differs from that of the most recent test carried out by the creamery, the inspector's test determines the supplier's eligibility for the quality allowance for the month concerned. The scheme also provides that, where milk is refused acceptance because it is dirty, stale or contaminated or is contained in a dirty vessel, the supplier is ineligible for the quality allowance for that month irrespective of the results of the testing of the samples of his milk.
I understand that it is to provide for such circumstances and also for possible clerical errors in notifying the results of tests immediately they are carried out that the Dairy Disposal Company has notified its suppliers that the results of tests are provisional until they have been finally checked.