John Ellis
Question:56 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the milk supply and butter fat situation; if a super levy bill is anticipated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27769/98]
Written Answers. - Milk Quota.
At the end of November 1998 the estimated fat adjusted milk deliveries were approximately 0.36 per cent under quota when calculated over the same period. The cumulative butterfat content of deliveries up to the end of November 1998 was 36.75 grams. kg. compared to 36.14 grams. kg. for the corresponding period during the previous milk quota year.
With nearly four months of the present milk quota year still to run, it is not possible to accurately forecast the extent, if any, of a super levy fine which will be incurred. I emphasise that it is the producer's individual responsibility to manage his/her quota.
Brendan Smith
Question:57 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress, if any, to date in relation to the proposal by the Cross-Border Quota Action Group seeking additional milk quota for the Border region under the EU's Programme for Peace and Reconciliation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27715/98]
Any initiative which would lead to the allocation of additional quota to milk producers in the Border counties would have my full support.
The matter has been discussed on a number of occasions between officials of my Department, the United Kingdom's Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. The matter was also raised at ministerial level with the UK and I have also met the cross-Border milk quota action group. However, as has been indicated previously, the success of an initiative of this nature will be dependent not only on the circumstances and timing of its presentation at EU level but also of course on the position taken by the United Kingdom authorities.
The Deputy will be aware that the Commission's Agenda 2000 proposals negotiations, which are scheduled to be concluded by March 1999, include a proposed reform to the milk regime. The chances of advancing this issue in advance of that are remote.