asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the amount of milk delivered to creameries in the first six months of 1973 and 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Creamery Milk Deliveries.
13.
In the period from 1st January to 15th June, 1974, the latest date for which particulars are available, deliveries of milk to creameries amounted to 245.96 million gallons as compared with 257.35 million gallons in the corresponding period of 1973.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say why there is this reduction? Everybody agrees that it is necessary to have the quantity up to maintain the present cost. The fact that deliveries of milk are down is a big reduction to the ordinary dairy farmer.
The weather in the early part of this year was not too favourable. An additional factor is, as we all know, that the prices of young cattle and calves were not as good as we would have liked them to be.
Let the Parliamentary Secretary say that again.
It is reasonable to assume that farmers fed milk to calves with a view to holding them until prices improved.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that calves will pay as a result of feeding milk to them?
This question refers to milk delivered to creameries.
We hope the return will be satisfactory.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary telling the House that the drop of 12 million gallons was because milk was fed to calves? Is it not an accepted fact that the majority of farmers all over the country are using calf milk replacers?
The Deputy must avoid making a statement.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary telling the House that the drop of 12 million gallons was caused by the extra feeding of calves?
In the first place, I never told the House that the drop was 12 million gallons. The drop is from 257 million to 246 million.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 14.
The Parliamentary Secretary wants to give this information.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the reason for the drop in milk delivered to creameries is the carry-over of stock which could not be sold and the loss of grass? This is the whole kernel of the thing.
It is partly responsible. The figures I gave to the House are those up to the week ending 15th June. I have not got the figures for the end of June.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary really serious——
We have only had 13 questions in 35 minutes. We must pass on.
In relation to your last remark we would be willing to spend a full week in the month of August if we could get information.
The Chair has an obligation to have all Members' questions answered if possible. Deputy Gibbons, a final supplementary.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary really serious in suggesting that the over-holding which took place this spring had any serious part to play in the drop in the supply of milk to creameries and that farmers are feeding milk to calves at a cost of 20p per gallon? Surely he does not think the farmers are mad?
He does.
Question No. 14. This is argument.
In reply to the Deputy's query as to whether I think the farmers are mad I want to tell him they are not but possibly someone else is.
A lot of farmers think that the Parliamentary Secretary is not what he thinks he is.