asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will explain why, in view of the fact that cheddar cheese is marketed in the UK at £375 per ton, the price paid to manufacturers in Ireland is only £304 per ton.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cheese Production.
22.
Any financial gains at present accruing to Bord Bainne from sales of cheddar cheese in Britain have to be set against the losses incurred by the board on exports of other dairy products. Of course, milk for use in exports of dairy products, including cheese, receives substantial Exchequer price support in the form of allowances paid through creameries.
May I take it that the difference of £70 is going to subsidise other dairy products?
That is a serious over-simplification of the general situation because may I remind the Deputy that in September, 1969, the price then obtaining for cheese was £260 a ton and at the same time manufacturers were receiving £298 to £304 a ton, so the losses must be balanced against the gains?
23.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the fact that, owing to the limitation of the quota allowed to the Wexford cheese factory, milk is being transported from County Wexford to Dungarvan, County Waterford; and, if so, if he will make an immediate order to increase the quota so as to enable the factory to expand production and increase employment.
Milk supplies for manufacturing purposes are allocated by Bord Bainne. In the case of cheese and other products this is done on the basis of what can most remuneratively be sold on the home and export markets, and bearing in mind the need to observe quantitative arrangements in respect of certain export markets.
It is, of course, not unusual for milk to be transported from one county to another.
It is a fact that the milk is being diverted to Dungarvan from Wexford?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that, if Wexford is allowed to receive the milk to which it appears to be justifiably entitled, another 50 people could be employed in the Wexford cheese factory? Does he not think that would be a more suitable arrangement than sending milk all the way to Dungarvan?
The quota of the Wexford factory has increased by 17 per cent in the year 1970-71. Obviously, since the UK outlet for cheese is fixed, if you increase the proportion the Wexford factory gets you must reduce the proportion other cheese-making concerns get. The Wexford factory has in no way been treated unfairly.
They are being restricted. They could employ 50 more workers.
On the contrary, they got an increase in their quota.
Even so, they are being restricted.
Only in so far as the UK market itself is restricted, and the restriction that did obtain in that market has been eased somewhat in recent months.