asked the Minister for Agriculture if he intends to introduce standard regulations in respect of butter fat testing.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Fat Testing.
9.
There are statutory regulations already in operation in regard to the testing of creamery milk for butter-fat content. As these regulations are operating satisfactorily I do not propose to amend them.
Is the Minister aware that a survey has shown that milk was being insufficiently agitated in some of the bulk tanks on farms and that farmers were losing up to 2p per gallon because their butter fat was not being adequately registered?
Yes.
Is the Minister not aware that one of the leading farming organisations would not agree with him and that suppliers are confused by the lack of standard regulations and are greatly out of pocket as a result?
I would not entirely agree with the Deputy. Most co-operatives apply their own testing at present. There is also in operation an arrangement whereby any milk supplier who doubts the correctness of the creamery test for butter fat may have an independent check carried out by a Department inspector for a fee of £1. The demand for this service has been limited, which does not indicate widespread dissatisfaction among suppliers with butter fat testing at creameries.
Is the Minister prepared to accept the call which he received last year from the IFA for a national milk grading scheme? It is in the context of these complaints that that call was made.
Next question.