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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 8 May 1975

Vol. 280 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Chocolate Crumb.

23.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make a statement on the prospects for the sale of chocolate crumb; and whether it is being stockpiled in this country at present.

I understand that there has been a slight recession in demand for chocolate products as a result of recent price increases here and abroad. This may result in a small reduction in the level of production of chocolate crumb here in 1975 as compared with 1973 and 1974.

I am not aware that chocolate crumb is being stockpiled here at present.

Would the Minister not agree that the main reason for the drop in the production and sale of chocolate crumb is the rise in the price of industrial sugar? Having regard to the EEC's agreement to subsidise 1.4 million tons of domestic sugar to the British consumers, would the Minister not agree that he should look for a subsidy for Irish industrial sugar for the manufacture of chocolate crumb?

The Deputy is probably aware that we, in this country, had a very exceptional advantage over our competitors in relation to sugar prices for a very long time and that prices here were raised only in order to prevent sugar leaving the country, which it had started to do in a substantial way.

Is the Minister aware that the EEC at present subsidise a huge amount—1.4 million tons —of sugar for the United Kingdom, for domestic consumption and that in view of that, industrial sugar, for manufacturing purposes, should be subsidised to the same extent here?

I think the Deputy will agree that were a subsidy to be provided in this way, it would have to be provided for all the member States, and that would be of no advantage to us at all because, then, the same competition would arise.

Surely the Minister is aware of the fact that Britain, and Britain only, have their domestic sugar consumption subsidised?

That is not so. For instance, Italy have got the benefit of some of this subsidy; in fact we may be getting some of that sugar ourselves.

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