Vol. 539 No. 1
141 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the likely development of the milk quota system over the next five years; the monetary value that is placed on such quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18350/01]
The EU regulations governing the operation of the milk quota regime provide that the system remains in place to March 2008. The regulations also provide for a mid-term review in 2003 to be undertaken by the Council of Ministers on the basis of a report submitted to it by the European Commission. The stated aim of the review is to allow the current quota arrangements to run out after 2006. Since the introduction of new regulations at national level on 1 April 2000 the main mechanism for the transfer of quota in Ireland is the milk quota restructuring scheme. The maximum price of quota under that scheme in the current quota year is 27p per litre.
