asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries his plans for the disposal of milk protein for the next two years in the context of the present EEC skimmed milk powder situation; and the advice he has to offer to dairy manufacturing firms.

The Council of Ministers have already taken a number of steps aimed at reducing substantially the level of intervention stocks of skim milk powder and improving the market situation for the product. These include the compulsory incorporation of 400,000 tons of skim powder in animal feed, increased disposals under the food aid programme and encouragement to greater use of powder and liquid skim milk for livestock production.

As in the past, milk processing firms are urged to diversify production as much as possible away from the traditional lines of butter and skim milk powder and into more sophisticated products, having regard, of course, to the market outlook for those products.

Will the Minister agree that by the inclusion of skim milk powder in animal feeds, and especially in pig rations, the cost of those feeds is being increased by an estimated £4 a ton? Does he not think it is very unfair to the pig producers that they have to meet this added cost to ensure that the skim milk mountain is reduced? They could get the rations with a protein of soya beans much cheaper.

Every other EEC member has to face the same thing. That is the market in which we are selling this product. Therefore, it does not reduce the competitiveness of Irish pigs.

Does the Minister agree that the inclusion of skim milk powder increases the price of the ration by £4 a ton?

The Deputy has already put that question.

These are people who are not in milk production.

It is increasing the price for all our competitors. Therefore it does not affect the situation.

Not to the same extent.

Will the Minister continue to advise farmers to stay in and to develop dairying?

Yes.

That is a separate question.

This is a very vexed question. May I take it from the Minister that there is no difference in this country? I understand all countries are doing it, but it is harder on the pig producer here and it is dearer here. Am I to take it from the Minister that it is not?

No.

It is the same?

It is the same in every member State.

Our information is that it is costing more here. The Minister is contradicting that.

We must proceed by way of supplementary questions, not statements.

That is our information.

Question No. 8.