Vol. 307 No. 5
andMr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture when he will allow an increase in price to liquid milk producers, in line with the recent EEC price change for creamery milk; and the steps which must be taken to reach a decision on such an increase.
8.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the increase per gallon it is proposed to allow for liquid milk; and the date from which the increase will operate.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
The question of adjusting the minimum prices payable to producers for liquid milk is at present under active consideration and a decision will be made as soon as possible. A number of other Departments have to be consulted in relation to aspects of interest to them. I might add that my Department has been having discussions with representatives of the pasteurisers and producers in regard to the introduction of a voluntary scheme of payment for milk on a quality basis. Such a scheme could best be inaugurated on the occasion of a general price increase and I would, therefore, hope that the discussions on it could be finalised quickly.
: Is there any evidence that there is diversion of milk from the liquid milk areas to the creameries because of the failure of the liquid price to keep pace with the creamery prices?
: I was not aware that there was any serious diversion of supplies from the liquid milk areas. I am conscious of the need there is for a decision as quickly as possible on this matter, and one will be made as quickly as possible.
: When can we expect a conclusion to the discussion? I am sure the Minister is aware that the price increase was to be effective from 22 May. Is it correct to say that the Minister is directly responsible for the price increase to the producer?
: The Deputy is not strictly correct because other Departments must be considered. The observations of other Departments must be correlated. I do not think a decision will take much longer.
: Can the Minister give an approximate date?
: No; I do not wish to speculate.
: Surely an issue such as this could be resolved in one week or ten days?
: I cannot tell the Deputy.
: Has the matter of an increase been discussed by the Government yet?
: No.
: Will there be any retrospective payments because of the delay?
: I have never known retrospective payments to be made in cases like this. Part of the problem arises from the recent increase arising from the price fixing in Brussels, if one would consider it a problem to be getting such a price for milk.
: Will the increase in the consumer price of milk be changed on the same day as the producers' price? There has been a problem in relation to this in the past because a considerable length of time elapsed before the increase granted to the producer was passed on to the consumer.
: Co-operative creameries have not a fixed price for milk, and different societies pay a different price. They are fixed at different times.
: The Deputy is talking about liquid milk.
: I am interested in a synchronisation between the Departments of Industry, Commerce and Energy and Agriculture on the issue of the price of milk in the two areas.
: I do not have that information.
