asked the Minister for Agriculture if the current EEC proposals to limit milk production will result in less calves, higher prices, less exports, poorer balance of payments and less employment in meat factories and milk processing plants in Ireland where conditions are more favourable for milk production than in any other member state.

The results in Ireland of the recent Commission proposals aimed at restraining the growth of milk production will depend on the extent to which the proposals are finally adopted by the Council of Ministers. The proposals as they stand would, if implemented, have serious adverse effects on Irish agriculture and I will, therefore, be opposing them.