asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction amongst milk producers in County Donegal because of the low price being paid to them for their produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Milk Prices.
116.
Because of temporary over-supply problems on the UK market for cheese, the price of manufacturing milk in County Donegal, the great bulk of which is channelled into cheese production, may be running a little below the level which producers in the county might otherwise expect to receive. This is contrary to the normal situation in which cheese provides a more remunerative return for milk than most other dairy products. As I have already stated on a number of occasions, I am confident that the present market difficulties affecting cheese are of a purely temporary character and will soon disappear.
Can the Minister give the House any information as to whether this particular manufacturing concern in Letterkenny differs in any respect from the rest of our cheese manufacturers and can he say whether on the initiation of this industry a new market was to be made available for its entire produce, which at best is not very large? What has become of that new market and where are the promises then held out in order that these new participants might get into our business of processing milk?
I am not aware of the circumstances which existed at the time this company was set up. I received the representatives of the Donegal Co-op Creameries Limited on 7th June and discussed their problems with them. What I can do to assist them is very limited under EEC regulations. They were looking for a grant which I could not give them. I advised them, if they found themselves in serious trouble, to apply to the ACC for a loan and that I would consider the situation in relation to the loan. I do not know if that answers the Deputy's question.
Is the Minister aware that the produce from this factory was to be sold in new fields of operation? What has happened to that? Has that ever, in fact, been the case? Is it not a question that that has never been lived up to and that we are trying to flog this cheese on the traditional British market.
I am not so aware. I have no information on my files to indicate that this Japanese firm were to seek other markets. I have no information to indicate that there was an undertaking that they would, in fact, sell elsewhere than in the ordinary British markets.
I have given the Deputy a lot of leeway on this question.
I quite agree and I thank you for it. The kernel of this: I ask the Minister if he is not aware of it to acquaint himself of it——
I will do that.
Question No. 117.
Will the Minister find out whether the only reason the Japanese were ever allowed to enter into the processing of milk here was on the basis that their market would be an entirely new and additional one? Apparently they have welshed on that.
The Chair is obliged to pass to the next question.
Action should be taken to make them live up to their promise or to get out.
I will certainly make inquiries to see what we can do about it.