asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to the recent statement by the President of the NFA to the effect that if there is a continuing fall in milk production this country could lose its export markets for milk products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Production.
30.
As pointed out in a press release issued by my Department on 17th February, there is no fall in milk production in this country. The decline of about 2 per cent in creamery milk deliveries in 1970 was more than made up for by the increase in milk fed to calves by former creamery milk suppliers who had changed over to the beef incentive scheme in 1970.
Much of our exports of milk products realise very low prices on a number of overseas markets and entail heavy trading losses.
Ample supplies of our milk products will be available for the British and such other markets as give a far better return than the very unprofitable overseas markets I have mentioned.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that if the trend continues there will still be ample supplies for the British and other profitable markets? This is the point that the President of the NFA wanted to make. If the decline continues the profitable markets will not be able to be serviced.
There was no decline in milk production in 1970.
There was a decline in the amount of milk available for export. It is being fed to calves.
That is more profitable than exporting it to markets abroad in which we are selling it at a very low price.
I am asking about the profitable markets.
There is no such thing as a profitable market for butter.