asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will recommend that the Government absorb the loss of 1p/gallon for milk to farmers caused by the EC Commission's decision to increase payment dates on the intervention butter mechanism by an additional 60 days.
Written Answers. - Intervention Butter.
183.
Apart from the fact that there are no Exchequer funds available to offset any loss to Irish milk producers as a result of the recent reintroduction by the EC Commission of the 60 day delay period for take-over of intervention butter, the use of State funds to counteract such a measure would be contrary to EC legislation. I am, however, concerned at the Commission action and am taking the matter up at the meeting of the Council of Ministers which is being held this week.