asked the Minister for Agriculture whether there is any standard of quality laid down for separated milk returned to milk suppliers by creameries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality of Separated Milk.
There is no standard of quality prescribed for separated milk returned to milk suppliers by creameries.
Might I ask the Minister if that means that a farmer who supplies milk to a creamery can get back six gallons of separated milk containing three gallons of water?
I have no reason to believe that the co-operative creameries operated by the farmers of this country perennially defraud their own members. I would resent any suggestion of that kind being made after due consideration.
Might I ask the Minister is he aware that all the milk is not sent to co-operative creameries and that all the owners of co-operative creameries are not saints? If the Minister likes, I will give him analysts' reports on samples which were tested showing that there was a considerable quantity of water added to it.
If the Deputy knows of any case of fraud practised by anybody in connection with the dairy industry in this country, I will be glad to have the particulars of it so that suitable action can be taken against the fraudulent parties.