Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 3

Written Answers. - Milk Quota.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

108 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the report from the milk quota review group will be available; if the milk quota in the western region will continue to be ring-fenced into the future; his views on whether no upper milk quota limit would apply in the western region in order that all quota remains in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4148/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The milk quota review group is a body comprised of representatives of the dairy industry, the farm organisations, technical experts and the Department. The review group considers various aspects of the operation of the milk quota regime and makes recommendations to me. The group does not issue reports.

The ring-fencing provisions in the European Communities (Milk Quota) Regulations 2000 as amended, apply where milk quota is attached to land in a less favoured area that is transferred by sale, lease, or gift. They require that the milk produced in respect of that quota be produced on the lands that have been transferred or other lands within 48km of those lands. As regards a producer who wishes to transfer his-her milk quota to a different dairy-co-operative, he-she may do so provided he-she satisfies the normal transfer conditions that is, notification of the transfer is given in accordance with time limits and he-she commences deliveries to the new co-op. I am not considering removing the ring fencing provisions.

The schemes for the transfer of quota on a permanent or temporary basis, that is, the milk quota restructuring scheme and the temporary leasing scheme, set out which type of producer has priority in the allocation of the available quota. However, the amount of quota allocated under a particular scheme is determined by the quantity available in the same collection area and, if sufficient quota is available, then all producers who apply, regardless of quota size, have access to additional quota.