asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why a price lower than that paid for skim milk in areas in County Kerry under the Dairy Disposal Board was paid at Tarelton creamery, Macroom, County Cork, during May, 1971.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Creamery Milk Prices.
21.
The price paid for skim milk by the Dairy Disposal Company at Tarelton Creamery for May, 1971 was lower than the price at only some of the company's creameries in County Kerry. These latter creameries were supplying large quantities of milk to a processing firm which agreed to pay an extra price. The principal processing firm being supplied from Tarelton creamery has, however, not agreed to pay this price.
Could the Minister explain why the price differs from one creamery to another? The difference can be as much as one penny or twopence per gallon in the case of skim milk and as much as seven pence in the case of whole milk.
In the case referred to in Deputy O'Sullivan's question, some of the dairy disposal creameries in Kerry benefited by quite a substantial quality payment in respect of skim milk supplied to a particular firm. The Dairy Disposal Company creamery in the Tarelton group did not have this outlet. The outlet they did have did not pay any quality payment. They had, in other words, a better market. Deputy Creed has a question down on this later. However, we hope to see some developments that will remedy the position in due course.