asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider exempting compulsory clawback of milk quotas where the leaser is in serious financial difficulties; and if he will review the present arrangements for case such as that of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - Milk Quotas.
57.
The Community regulations provide that member states may retain in a national reserve portion of quotas being transferred in conjunction with land leases or sales. I decided to introduce such a scheme here in order to favour leasing by producers with small or medium-sized quotas and also to provide a reserve from which quotas can be allocated to young farmers with no quotas and other farmers with very small quotas.
When I announced the scheme I indicated that it would be kept under review and the Milk Quota Review Group which I have set up will be considering all aspects of the scheme in the coming months.