Michael Creed
Question:194 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the various schemes operated by his Department to assist small scale milk producers under 15,000 gallons to secure additional milk quota. [15338/95]
Written Answers. - Milk Quota System.
The operation of the milk quota system in Ireland is biased in favour of small scale milk suppliers. Producers with quotas of less than 30,000 gallons have first priority access to quota becoming available under the temporary leasing and restructuring schemes and in the distribution of any unused quota at the end of the quota year.
The 1995 restructuring scheme provides for a subsidy of 75p per gallon to producers with quotas of less than 22,000 gallons towards the purchase price of additional quota.
The recently introduced provision of ring-fencing milk quota within the disadvantaged areas is also a positive development for smaller scale producers, the majority of whom are situated in these areas.
I have also introduced a 10 per cent clawback on short-term leases with land in order to discourage such leasing arrangements and to obtain additional quota for the national reserve which is used to benefit smaller scale producers.