Skip to main content
Normal View

Milk Quota.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004

Tuesday, 5 October 2004

Questions (145, 146)

Billy Timmins

Question:

264 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the restrictions on off farm income in relation to the milk partnership; if, in view of inflation and so on, she will increase the sum of €22,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23458/04]

View answer

Written answers

The objective of the partnership arrangements is to cater for the establishment of a genuine partnership which entails a substantial involvement in the operation of the enterprise by each of the parties concerned. In order to ensure this, it was necessary to put a limit on the level of off-farm income which can be earned by each participating partner.

Advice in this matter was received from representatives of a wide range of interests in the industry. The partnership arrangements operate on a national basis and must accordingly be subject to common rules. At present the limit for off farm income in the case of standard partnerships is €24,000 per annum while that for new entrant — parent partnerships is €22,000 per annum. The regulations also provide for an exemption from these limits in certain circumstances. I will, of course, keep the operation of the current rules, including the level of off farm income under review and will make any appropriate changes where that is shown to be necessary.

Billy Timmins

Question:

265 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the milk partnership if a son who was unemployed when the partnership started has subsequently found work with a salary of €29,000; the percentage of the milk quota a father may be allowed to hold on to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23459/04]

View answer

The regulations concerning milk production partnerships require that the off farm income of a partner in a new entrant-parent partnership cannot exceed €22,000 during any year. Where this limit is exceeded the partnership cannot remain registered, other than where a specific exemption for that year has been applied for and granted. On removal from the register, the regulations provide that, on application from the parties concerned, the amount of quota to be transferred to each producer and the amount to be sold back into the restructuring scheme, or added to the national reserve shall be determined by the Minister.

No such application has been received from the parties in any specific case. On receipt of such an application I will have the matter duly considered. I would emphasise, however, that the new entrant-parent partnership arrangement was specifically introduced to allow sons or daughters of existing milk producers working a holding with a parent to have access to quota under the restructuring scheme.

Top
Share