Vol. 424 No. 8
220 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the date on which it is proposed to seek agreement from the Commission of the European Communities to increase the ceiling from 12,819 gallons for milk quota farmers who are ineligible for any suckler premium payments.
246 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he intends to increase the ceiling in disadvantaged areas for qualification for the suckler cow premium from the present 12,600 gallon level.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 246 together.
The milk quota ceiling which limits the eligibility of small scale milk producers for the suckler cow premium may be adjusted only by a decision of the EC Council of Ministers. The Council is already considering a proposal to increase the ceiling from the present level of 12,819 gallons and I fully support such an increase.
