asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount of subsidy paid in January 1977 and 1981 and at the latest available date on a pound of butter, a pint of milk and a pound of cheese; and the total cost of subsidies on each item to the Exchequer for 1977 and 1981 with an estimate for 1982.
Written Answers. - Dairy Products Subsidies.
The following table shows the information sought regarding subsidies in respect of milk, butter, and cheese in 1977, 1981 and 1982.
Item |
Level of subsidy at January 1977 |
Total cost of subsidy in 1977 |
Level of subsidy at January 1981 |
Total cost of subsidy in 1981 |
Level of subsidy at July 1982 |
Estimated total cost of subsidy in 1982 |
Milk |
2.14p per pint |
£21,327,671 |
1.47p per pint |
£22,195,694 |
4.47p per pint |
£36,600,000 |
(Country) |
||||||
3.97p per pint (Dublin) |
||||||
Butter³ (a) |
9.56p per lb. |
£14,067,612 |
11.81p per lb. |
£16,956,604 |
20.85p per lb. |
£20,702,000² |
Butter³ (b) |
14.46p per lb. |
£19,498,798 |
26.76p per lb. |
£31,430,290 |
34.95p per lb. |
£35,900,000 |
Cheese¹ |
Not applicable |
£1,120,000(approx) |
Not applicable |
— |
Not applicable |
— |
¹ The consumer subsidy on cheese was paid only in respect of the period 1 April 1977 to 12 January 1978.
² Includes an estimate of £2,000 in respect of the Island Butter Subsidy Scheme.
³ (a) relates to Exchequer contribution only, (b) relates to total subsidy i.e. combined Exchequer and EEC contributions.