asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if his attention has been drawn to a report to the effect that in the UK there is a serious scarcity of butter; and if this country has availed itself of this opportunity to increase its butter quota to the UK.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Butter Quota.
127.
Because of a recent shortfall in supplies of butter to the British market from some other countries, the British authorities made additional import quota allocations available to a number of countries which can supply more. The allocation of 30,000 tons originally made to this country for the year ending 31st March next has been increased by 2,000 tons, which, taking into account earlier export commitments of Bord Bainne, is the total extra quantity available for supply at this stage of the season.
Mr. O'Donnell
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary will agree there is something radically wrong with the whole dairying policy of the Government when we are selling butter at 11½d a pound in the Far East and we are now unable to avail of the tremendous opportunity afforded to us in the UK market where butter is making 3s a pound.
The quota for Irish butter was increased considerably last year from 26,000 tons to 30,000 tons and we were able to take up an additional 2,000 tons. However, we were not able to anticipate that the supply from other countries would not be sufficient to meet the British requirements. We would be in a far worse position if we had anticipated this and were left with considerable stocks on hand.
Mr. O'Donnell
Surely it should be possible to devise a policy whereby there would be flexibility in our butter market which would enable us to meet a sudden unexpected demand?
This would mean retaining stocks.
Are we to understand there is no stockpiling of butter in the country?
That is correct.
It will be worse next year.