Vol. 460 No. 3
552 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has for an increase in the milk quota in the Border counties on both sides of the Border in view of the opportunities created for economic development in the Border counties by the peace process and in view of the identification by the major co-ops in the Border counties on both sides of the Border for such an increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1016/96]
I have already put on record strong support for the proposal for a milk quota related initiative in the Border counties in the context of the peace process. This matter has been the subject of discussions between my Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture. However, it should be stressed that the allocation of additional milk quota is a sensitive matter within the EU. Any such request should, therefore, have the support of the, member states directly concerned and the various interested organisations and must be raised in a suitable negotiating context.
