Michael Creed
Question:151 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason his Department is proposing to end the temporary leasing scheme for milk quotas. [2216/00]
Written Answers. - Milk Quota.
There are no proposals to end the temporary leasing scheme.
As part of the proposed changes to give active, committed smaller and medium size producers greater access to quota on a permanent basis over the coming years at a reasonable cost, certain changes will, however, be made to the operation of the scheme.
One of these is that it will no longer be possible for people who are not involved in milk production to temporarily lease their milk quota where the quota has been temporarily leased for the preceding three milk quota years, 1997-99 or for a longer period. With effect from 1 April 2000, such quota holders will have the option of resuming milk production in their own right during the 2000/1 milk quota year or, should they choose, of selling the milk quota into the 2000 milk quota restructuring scheme.
In certain exceptional circumstances, persons no longer involved in milk production may apply for an exemption from this provision. These exceptional circumstances will be detailed in the national implementing regulations.