asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to take to ensure that butter and cheese production is maintained at a level sufficient to permit this country to avail fully of the market in Europe.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter and Cheese Production.
38.
Target levels of production of the main dairy products, including butter and cheese, are drawn up periodically by An Bord Bainne in consultation with the dairy industry in the light of prevailing market conditions.
Is it not a fact that more people are now switching from dairying to beef and that An Bord Bainne are unable to meet their export contracts? Is this not a situation to which immediate attention should be given?
That is a separate question.
I do not accept the view expressed by the Deputy because the position is quite the opposite. We expect that a number of farmers who availed of the beef incentive scheme in past years will change over to milk in 1975 because of the attractive prices that are likely to be available for this commodity.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate if any assistance is being given to farmers which would lead one to believe that there will be an increase in the milk-cow population and in milk production? Can the Parliamentary Secretary name anything that has been done to improve the position or is everything OK?
I had the privilege of launching An Bord Bainne's More Milk Campaign recently and it was pleasing to note from the statements made by the directors of the board that prices for the 1975 milk supply to creameries will far exceed those obtaining in 1974. It was also indicated that our market was quite secure.
Will the price increases the Parliamentary Secretary has spoken of keep up with the cost of inflation on the farm, the cost of electricity and so on, now that the by-product, the calf, has gone down the line?
That question has no relevance to the question on the Order Paper. I am calling the next question.
Only three supplementaries were asked on this very important question. Am I not in order to put a further supplementary?
The Chair is the complete judge as to how many supplementaries will be asked on a question. Three have been allowed on this question and I am not allowing any more.
The Parliamentary Secretary should be asked to reply to my supplementary.