Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 7

Written Answers. - Milk Quota Buy-up Scheme.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

189 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the EC milk quota buy-up scheme will create major problems for co-ops in the west and for the whole dairying industry in the area because of the substantial amount of milk being surrendered there with none coming from southern areas; and if, in view of the serious implications, he will use the regulations at his disposal to ensure that the surrendered quotas are not redistributed nationally but are returned for distribution to the co-op area to which they originally belonged.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

190 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline (1) the quantity of milk offered for surrender under the EC national buy-up scheme; and (2) the quantity offered in each co-op area and the percentage this represents of the total quota in the co-op area.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

191 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount by which the voluntary national buy-up scheme fell short of the required amount; if it is now intended to introduce a compulsory scheme; and if so, if he will give details of same.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

192 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of the exceptionally high percentage of total milk quota of co-ops in the west offered for surrender under the national buy-up scheme and, in view of the fact that no milk at all has been offered in 17 co-ops in the south, he will ensure that west of Ireland co-op areas will be exempt from any compulsory buy-out scheme.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 192, inclusive, together.

The quantity of milk offered for surrender under the present Community buy-up scheme amounted to approximately 10.5 million gallons. The amount required to restore the compulsory reduction in quotas of 2.9 per cent imposed in 1991-92 is 33 million gallons. While it would not be appropriate for me to disclose details of the quantities offered on a co-op basis, I can indicate that 50 per cent of the quantities offered have been submitted by producers in the Connaught/Ulster region. I am concerned that some co-operatives or dairies could suffer disproportionate losses of quota and I am exploring all the legal possibilities to see what options are open to me to reduce such losses.

I will be announcing my decisions in this matter shortly.