Michael Creed
Ceist:49 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he intends to cut all milk quotas by 2 per cent in 1993 and 1994.
Written Answers. - Milk Quotas.
Michael Creed
Ceist:50 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which he intends to comply with the Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals to cut milk quotas by 2 per cent.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
A decision was taken in principle by the Council of Ministers to reduce national quota levels by two successive cuts of 1 per cent applying from 1 April 1993 and 1 April 1994. However, before these reductions can be implemented the Commission is obliged to present reports to the Council of Ministers on the market situation, accompanied, if necessary, by proposals to revise these decisions. If the present favourable trend in the market for dairy products continues it will be very difficult to justify any reduction in quota in 1993/94. It is my intention to approach negotiations on this basis, as I successfully did in relation to the proposed quota cut for 1992.