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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 May 1989

Vol. 389 No. 7

Written Answers. - National Milk Agency.

96.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the present position with regard to the setting up of the National Milk Agency; the role envisaged for the agency; the constitution of the agency; its earliest operational date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The legislation for the establishment of the agency is currently being prepared by the parliamentary draftsman. The agency will be responsible for the regulation of the liquid milk market throughout the country. It will register all dairies and liquid milk producers within the State who satisfy hygienic, processing and other technical standards. In order for producers to register it will be necessary for them to have a written contract with a registered dairy guaranteeing all year round supply or supply during the winter months. The agency will be empowered to refuse to register any contract which in its view does not provide adequate compensation for the costs of winter production.

The board of the agency will consist of an independent part time chairman together with representatives of producer, processor, retail, distributor and consumer interests.

It is not possible at this stage to say when precisely the agency will commence operations as this will depend on when the necessary legislation is enacted. However I am anxious that it should start as quickly as possible. In the meantime I have decided that a preparatory committee composed of representatives of the industry should prepare for the establishment of the agency. This committee which will be under the chairmanship of an official from my Department will be holding its first meeting within the next week or so.

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