Vol. 439 No. 5
132 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the eight proposals for aid to small milk suppliers for the United Farmers Association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is present Government policy that priority be given to smaller scale milk producers both generally within the dairy sector and in particular within the operation of the milk quota system. Small scale milk producers have, for example, priority access to any milk quota which becomes available under the restructuring and temporary leasing schemes and under the flexi-milk arrangements. They have also been given priority in the allocation of the additional quota which I negotiated for Ireland at last year's EU farm price review.
Under the National Development Plan for the use of Structural Funds, it is proposed to provide assistance to dairy farmers to upgrade their on-farm facilities to bring them into line with EU standards. The provision of a subsidy towards milk quota restructuring is also being considered for funding in the same context. Under both measures, priority will be given to smaller producers. The consultations with the EU Commission on the plan will not be completed for some time.
My Department is currently reviewing the operation of the milk quota system and the views of the association referred to will be taken fully into account in that review.
