Vol. 539 No. 1
74 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason the SCC - sellcount - limit on milk producers was reduced from 500,000 to 400,000; the steps he will take to restore the count to the original limit; and if he will consider introducing a scheme of compensation for dairy farmers of £300 per cow to enable them replace elderly milk cows with young in-calf heifers. [18354/01]
The Directive 92/46/EEC on the hygienic production of milk and milk-based products, which came into effect on 1 January 1994, set a limit of 400,000 somatic cells per ml. for cows milk. It contained a derogation whereby, up until 1 January 1998, a maximum level of 500,000 cells per ml. was accepted in cows' milk going for manufacturing. Since that date the standard of 400,000 cells per ml. has applied to all cows' milk, whether going for liquid consumption or for manufacturing. It applies throughout the entire European Union and there is no prospect of reverting to the pre-1998 position. The present standard is readily achievable by all diligent milk producers and is in fact achieved without difficulty by the vast majority of Irish producers. I have no plans to introduce a scheme along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
