asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that in recent times, in the dairying districts of Éire, mainly for economic reasons, an abnormal number of dispersal sales of dairy herds has taken place, that several dairy herds have been substantially reduced in numbers and that there is a growing disposition amongst farmers, in those districts, to stock beef bulls in preference to dairy bulls; if so, in order to ensure that there may not be an acute shortage of milk and butter in future years, he will revise the price paid for milk to creameries so as to permit of 1/- a gallon being paid during the summer months; and, if not, if he will arrange that the month of April may be included in the winter period so that 1/- a gallon may be paid for creamery milk during that month.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Revision of Milk Prices.
I am not aware that in recent times an abnormal number of dispersal sales of dairy herds has taken place, and if, as suggested in the question, several dairy herds have been substantially reduced in numbers others must have been increased as the number of milch cows in the country on 1st June, 1945, was greater than in any of the previous four years. Although the buying at recent sales of bulls of the beef breeds has been brisk, the demand for dairy bulls has been equally good and I do not anticipate any shortage of heifers suitable for dairy purposes in future years. I do not propose to revise the creamery milk prices which have been announced in the recent White Paper on the subject.
Is the Minister aware that, since 1936, there has been a decrease in the supply of milk to some creameries of 25 per cent. and to other creameries of as high as 45 and 50 per cent? Will he take any steps to prevent a further decline in the supply of milk to creameries?
I think I have answered those questions.
Will the Minister not favourably consider the request in the question to include April in the winter period and so get cows into earlier production and have milk and butter earlier in the year, thereby increasing the milk yield?
I had a deputation yesterday and the gist of their argument was that the farmers are getting too high a price for their milk, and, therefore, slaughtering their calves.
Who were they?
As I regard the answer of the Minister as unsatisfactory, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.