Austin Currie
Ceist:45 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the initiatives he intends to take to arrest the fall in butter consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Butter Consumption.
The dramatic decline in butter consumption in Ireland, in particular since the introduction of spreads onto the yellowfat market in 1985, can be attributed to the general trend towards lower fat consumption as well as the improved spreadability and lower price of many of the competing products.
Funds for the promotion of generic dairy products are made available by the EC Commission from milk co-responsibility levy receipts to counter what is now a worldwide trend of lower fat consumption.I have pressed the Commission to place greater emphasis on such promotional expenditure in order that the many positive attributes of dairy products can be placed before the consumer. Similar funding has been made available for research into the production of a more spreadable and nutritionally improved butter. However, any aids or initiatives at national level to support a particular part of the dairy industry would be strictly prescribed by Community rules.
The dairy industry is aware, of course, of its dependency on butter and while it has responded to consumer demand for low fat products this should not be to the detriment of butter.