Vol. 476 No. 2
261 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the input, if any, he has made at EU level to ensure that Irish dairy farmers retain milk quotas indefinitely after the next GATT and World Trade Organisation agreement. [6907/97]
262 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the policies, if any, he has submitted to the EU to enable young dairy farmers to obtain milk quotas after the next GATT and World Trade Organisation agreement. [6908/97]
263 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the policies, if any, he has advocated to the EU to enable Irish milk producers to maintain the capital value of their milk quotas after the next GATT and World Trade Organisation agreement. [6910/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 261, 262 and 263 together.
The existing EU milk quota regime is scheduled to last until the year 2000. The EU Commission has indicated its intention to come forward this year with its analysis of likely future developments in the dairy sector and with policy options for the future. It is my intention that, in the negotiations which will take place on the future of the EU milk regime, the best interests of Irish dairy farmers (including both young farmers and existing quota holders) and of the industry generally will be taken fully into account. In this context my Department has been consulting with the industry about the most suitable options for this country.
