asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what steps are being taken to implement the recommendations of the Milk Tribunal who reported to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health in December, 1946.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Tribunal Recommendations.
The recommendations contained in the Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Supply of Milk to the Dublin Sale District have not been formally implemented by my Department but the effects which the tribunal contemplated their recommendations would produce have been, to a large extent, provided for in the general plan for the improvement and development of agriculture now being carried out by me. In that plan special provision has been made for the Dublin milk supply area; an officer has been placed at the disposal of the Dublin Milk Board to advise farmers in the production area on the care and management of their pastures and dairy stock; a publicity scheme designed to secure an increased consumption of milk in Dublin has also been launched. Schemes have been formulated for the effective control of certain cattle diseases and arrange-ments have been made to establish, at a very early date, an artificial insemination centre for the benefit of the farmers in the Dublin milk production area. It is also intended, as soon as certain practical difficulties can be overcome, to provide for the pasteurising of all milk, other than highest grade milk, supplied in the Dublin area. As a result of the steps already taken the position in regard to milk supplies in Dublin has been vastly improved since the tribunal made its report and, generally speaking, the area is now self-sufficient and independent of outside supplies.
I should add that the average daily consumption of milk in the Dublin area for the month of May, 1946, was 48,348 gallons and for the month of May, 1950, was approximately 60,800 gallons.