asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he considers as a serious threat to the expansion of the Irish dairying industry the sharp rise in EEC butter stocks from 80,700 tons in April, 1971, to an estimated 150,000 tons in April, 1972.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Butter Stocks.
53.
I do not consider that the increase in the Community's stock of butter involves serious danger for the Irish dairying industry. The butter market situation in a Community of Ten will differ greatly from that of a Community of Six. It should also be remembered that even when butter stocks in the Community were extremely high in the 1968-1970 period, the prices the Community producers received for milk were very substantially higher than those which Irish producers received.
Can the Minister assure the dairy farmers that there will not be an introduction again of the multi-tier price system, limiting production, as I am sure he will agree that as a result of the increased price for milk this year, farmers are expanding production and have invested huge sums of money in the industry and that any such restriction would be a retrograde step?
I agree. I accept completely what the Deputy says.
Could the Minister give any reason why this increase in butter stocks has taken place?
That is a separate question.
I suppose it is a combination of a lot of things, such as better husbandry and that sort of thing.