Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Okay, that is good. Senator O'Keeffe mentioned that the largest percentage of Strathroy Dairy's product goes into own-brand. I think this was confirmed by Mr. Ruairí Cunningham. What percentage of the dairy's product goes into own-brand? What retailers are being supplied with their own-brand product by Strathroy Dairy? The witnesses can answer those questions later on. It has been confirmed that the dairy is not processing anything from the mainland UK. I suppose most of my other questions have been asked by other members.

The liquid milk suppliers in this country supply the co-ops here. One of the main co-ops is supposed to have 2,000 liquid milk producers. The suppliers have to guarantee their co-ops a certain level of quality. They have to give an assurance with regard to quality of milk, etc. They have to ensure the cows coming into their herds are professionally calved. I have seen Strathroy Dairy's advertisements in the Irish Farmers' Journal and all the farming publications actively canvassing for milk from the Republic. I suppose they are taking manufacturing milk from the Republic and using it as a liquid milk product. As Mr. Ruairí Cunningham said, some 50% of the liquid milk in this country goes into manufacturing anyway. If Strathroy Dairy is actually using manufacturing milk as a liquid milk product, what quality assurance can it give this committee and the general public with regard to its product?