Vol. 400 No. 2
77 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will initiate discussions with the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society with a view to reducing the amount of advertising being spent on dairy spreadable products and putting greater emphasis on the promotion of butter consumption in the marketplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The responsibility for the level of advertising for products competing in the yellowfats sector is solely a matter for the manufacturer of the butter, spread or margarine concerned and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in this way in the commercial strategy of manufacturers.
Funding for the generic promotion of dairy products is made available annually by the EC Commission from milk coresponsibility levy receipts. I have asked at Community level for greater emphasis to be placed on such promotional measures in order that the increased market penetration by the substitute products can be countered.
