Vol. 426 No. 7
32 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that the 4.5 per cent milk quota cut this year will not be implemented in this country in view of the national dairy situation whereby virtually every creamery has a production level beyond the quota; and if he has made an approach to the EC authorities in this regard.
152 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will pursue a legal challenge to the proposed permanent cessation of the 4.5 per cent of Ireland's national milk quota by the EC authorities.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 152 together.
There has not been a 4.5 per cent cut in Ireland's quota this year. What is in question is the future treatement of 4.5 per cent of the quota which has been suspended in all member states in part from 1987 and in part from 1988. During the council negotiations which took place last year on the revision of the milk quota regime, I made it very clear that Ireland does not accept that a final decision has been taken on the future of the suspended quota. I indicated then that a decision should be taken on this issue at the same time as the Council decides on quota levels for the coming year, that is, before the end of March 1993. Since then, I have raised this issue both within Council and also bi-laterally with the Commission. I will continue to press strongly for a satisfactory solution in the forthcoming Council discussions. The question of a legal challenge by the Government on this issue does not arise at present.
