Vol. 449 No. 3
55 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he is committed to the permanent ring-fencing of milk quotas in the disadvantaged areas in view of the fact that he has announced a review of his new proposals to take place after only one year. [3487/95]
I have already announced that I am proceeding with the drafting of legislation to provide for the ring-fencing of milk quotas in disadvantaged areas. It is my intention to provide that milk quota attached to land in severely and less severely disadvantaged areas must be produced either on that land or on land within a radius of 30 miles from the holding in question; irrespective of whether that holding is situated inside or outside disadvantaged areas. This is a fundamental change in the operation of the milk quota regime in Ireland the objective of which is to maintain milk production in the areas in question thereby furthering rural development and maintaining population in rural areas.
In view of the importance of this decision, it is my intention to review its impact and its effectiveness at the end of the 1995-96 milk quota year.
