Vol. 464 No. 8
82 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he will seek a change in the EU milk quota rules to allow farmers use a January to December calendar year for milk quota purposes; and his views on whether such a quota period would be advantageous to farmers. [8925/96]
Under the Community legislation on the milk quota system, the milk quota year is defined as the 12 month period commencing on 1 April. The quota year 1 April to 31 March applies, therefore in all member states.
A review of the operation of the quota system in Ireland was recently carried out by my Department, in consultation with the farming organisations, representatives of the dairy industry and technical advisers. The question of an alternative quota year was addressed. The overall consensus of that review was that an amendment to the EU legislation for the purpose of changing the quota year should not be sought at this time and that the disadvantages of a calendar quota year outweigh its advantages. I share this view and therefore do not intend seeking an amendment to the regulations on this point.
