Vol. 481 No. 3
85 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the strategy, if any, he is pursuing with the European Commission to increase Ireland's milk quota; the progress, if any, he has made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15993/97]
The existing milk quota regime will remain in place until 31 March 2000. Negotiations on the EU dairy regime to apply thereafter, including the future of the milk quota system, will take place within the Council of Agriculture Ministers during the intervening period. The Commission has already made its views known in the context of Agenda 2000.
It will be my objective to ensure that the outcome of those negotiations will be to the longer term benefit of the Irish dairy sector and of the rural and national economy generally.
