asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he has received any observation from farmers' organisations regarding the sale of margarine and its implications for the dairying industry; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Margarine Sales.
10.
Farmers' organisations have expressed to me their serious concern about sales of margarine and the implications for the dairying industry of an increase in such sales. I share their serious concern in this respect and I would favour a policy which would avert any further erosion of the home market for butter. The whole matter, of course, is one which affects other sectors of the economy as well as agriculture and accordingly does not fall exclusively within my province.
Is the Minister aware that shelf space allocation in supermarkets has in the last year moved from 80/20 in favour of butter to 50/50 with margarine? In view of this rapid increase in the promotion of margarine as against butter in the short space of 12 months does he not consider that some action is required?
I am not necessarily accepting the Deputy's figures but the Minister has this matter under review and is conscious of the necessity to protect the home market for butter. He has a number of measures under consideration.
Could we have an indication of the type of measures the Minister has in mind?
One of them would be to promote intensively the use of butter and milk products generally on our home market.
Is it intended to introduce any measure to make it more difficult to import margarine?
I could not say.
It would, of course, be against all principles of free trade.
There are many aspects to this. Margarine is an important item of diet of many poor homes.
It certainly is.