Vol. 395 No. 7
17 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the major points of the new dairy regulations as they apply to Irish dairy farms; and if he is satisfied that farmers will be able to finance the investment involved.
As part of the 1992 Single Market programme the EC Commission are considering the harmonisation of standards for health, hygiene, etc., both in relation to liquid milk for human consumption and to milk for the manufacture of dairy products. Proposals in this regard have not, however, been formally presented to the Council. My approach to any negotiations on these measures will be to ensure that only realistic standards which are fair both to producers and consumers are proposed.
I do not know how the proposals got out around the country, but there is a proposal going from one district office to another which I hope the Minister is aware of, which states that any type of water supply which is contaminated in any shape or form, even to a minute degree, cannot be used on Irish farms where milk is supplied. If that is so and considering the level of water supply we have, surely no Irish dairy farmer will be able to have the type of finance to invest to ensure that he will come to a particular level. Against that background, would the Minister accept that all the pointers and signals at the moment are that the milk price in Ireland will drop 17p per gallon in the next month or two? Taking one with the other, will he give some degree of confidence to the dairying industry, considering that all the factors are working against them? Will he accept that the price is going to decrease by 17p per gallon?
I think the Deputy has made his comment.
These are only proposals and they have not yet even got to the Council. They have been discussed by working groups of the Commission. When they are accepted and presented to the Council we will be negotiating to ensure that the Irish dairying industry will be able to meet the agreed standards and that in relation to the cost involved they will ensure that any improvements made to the quality of milk supply will not impose an undue burden on any farmer because of the fact that he has to comply with standards which raise the quality of milk.
Will the Minister comment on the impending disaster in the milk price of 17p per gallon?
It is a separate question.
It is tied to it.
I do not know of any co-operative who have reduced the price.
New hygiene laws have been defined and at present discussions are going along those lines, but they are going to impose a certain financial burden, particularly on many smaller farmers. I am interested to hear that the Minister does not favour imposing financial hardship. Do I deduce from that that some financial assistance will be given to farmers when these proposals are being implemented? They were very stringent proposals originally but due to the vigilance of Teagasc they have been fairly modified. Therefore, can I have an assurance that some assistance will be given particularly to farmers who cannot meet the costs? We all know farmers who are under siege at this stage in relation to cost.
I would not accept that dairy farmers particularly are under siege.
The small ones are, or they will be in a few months.
Any farmer who has the good luck to have a milk quota should produce top quality milk at any rate. Any effort that is made and any encouragement the Government can give will be towards improving the quality of milk for supply to consumers. I think farmers are being paid particularly well for milk and there is an onus on farmers to supply only milk which is fit for human consumption.
