Vol. 542 No. 5
114 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to a recommendation from the European Court of Auditors effectively recommending the abolition of milk quotas by liberalising milk production; if his Department has put forward a studied response to these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25101/01]
I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers. The report, together with a detailed response from the European Commission, has been submitted to the Council. It will in the normal course come up for discussion in a forthcoming Council of Finance and Budget Ministers. When it does I will ensure that a suitable response is offered on the part of Ireland in relation to the recommendations in the report.
Any decision on the future of the quota regime is a matter for the Council of Agriculture Ministers. Under the Agenda 2000 agreement the system will run until 2008. The agreement also provides for a mid-term review in 2003.
