Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Apr 1968

Vol. 233 No. 12

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Production of Milk Powder.

15.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the total gallonage of milk used for manufacturing (a) whole milk powder and (b) skim milk powder in each of the years 1965, 1966 and 1967; and the amount paid in subsidy per gallon to the manufacturers in respect of each of those years.

With your permission, a Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement showing the gallonage of milk used for the manufacture of milk powder.

No export subsidies are paid in respect of skim milk powder. It is not considered desirable to publish details of subsidies paid on exports of whole milk powder as this information would be of advantage to competitors on export markets.

Following is the statement:—

Year

Milk used for the manufacture of—

Whole Milk Powder

Skim Milk Powder

(Million gallons of whole milk)

(Million gallons of skim milk)

1965

23.5

24

1966

16.2

55

1967

18.3

70

16.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the likely market price for Irish skim milk powder during the coming season; and the likely price to the farmers for skim milk left at creameries.

17.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether any milk powder market surveys have been carried out over the past 12 months by Bord Bainne; and, if so, if he will give a report on such surveys.

20.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the growing concern among milk producers and processors about the difficulties in the skim milk powder market; if so, whether his Department have taken any further steps to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

21.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether Ireland has participated in any negotiations with GATT with a view to fixing a floor price for skim milk powder; and, if not, why.

I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 16, 17, 20 and 21 together.

I understand from Bord Bainne that during the past 12 months it has had surveys made of the milk powder markets in 16 countries. To indicate publicly the results of these surveys would, however, be undesirable as such information would obviously be of advantage to the Board's competitors.

It is not possible at this stage to give any precise indication of the likely market price for Irish skim milk powder in the coming season or the likely price to be paid to farmers for skim milk. In view of the present state of the export market for skim milk powder, some reduction as compared with the record high levels of recent years must be expected. I am aware of the concern among milk producers and processors about the market position for powder and I have been keeping in close touch with Bord Bainne to ensure the best possible export arrangements. As was announced a few days ago, the Board has now obtained an order from Mexico for a very substantial quantity of skim powder.

Ireland has been participating in discussions in the GATT about the world market situation for dairy products but these discussions have not so far included any negotiations on a floor price for skim milk powder. I might add that our experience of such an international arrangement for whole milk powder has not been entirely satisfactory.

Does it appear, as is suggested in the current press, that there is emerging a very large exportable surplus of skim milk powder in the Common Market countries?

Yes, I think this is true.

Top
Share