asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is proposed to exempt certain farmers in mountain areas and in Southern Italy from the basic milk levy regardless of the quantity of milk they produce and, if so, the total number of producers in the EC to which this concession will apply and the number in Ireland.
Written Answers. - Exemption from Basic Milk Levy.
407.
At present close to 200,000 farmers, supplying about 6 per cent of total Community milk production, are exempt from paying the co-responsibility levy. These are farmers (a) in mountain and hill areas as defined in EEC Council Directive 75/268 and (b) in certain regions where the average quantity of milk delivered to dairies was less than 10 kg per producer per day in 1976. These exemptions do not apply to any producers in Ireland.
In addition to these exemptions the Commission are now proposing that suppliers in less favoured areas should be exempted from the basic levy in respect of an annual quantity not exceeding 60,000 kg. About 35,000 Irish farmers and 20 per cent of our milk supply would stand to benefit from such an exemption.