asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food in view of the fact that milk products held in intervention have been reduced to manageable levels, if there is any further necessity for the retention of the milk co-responsibility levy; if he will be pressing for its complete removal at the price talks in Brussels next spring; the present rate of the levy; and the cost to Irish farmers in a full year.
Written Answers. - Milk Levy.
125.
I have already been pressing in the Council for the abolition of the co-responsibility levy on the basis that the super levy is sufficient to control the level of milk production. I will continue to press for its removal.
The current rate of levy applicable in Ireland is 2.169p per gallon. A reduced rate of 1.627p/gl applies on the first 12,800 gallons of milk delivered in a milk year by a producer located in a disadvantaged area. Receipts from the levy in Ireland are about £26 million a year.