John Deasy
Ceist:366 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals regarding the sale of quotas from 1 April 2007; the proposed timescale involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16032/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 3 May 2006
Ceisteanna (307)
Freagraí scríofa
In March I announced my intention to move to a more open market system for transferring milk quotas, which will come into effect on the 1st April 2007. I made this decision because the current restructuring model will not meet the future needs of the industry and a more effective response is required in order to meet future competitive pressures.
My Department and I have completed the first stage of consultations with the farm organisations and with representatives of the milk processing sector. We are now in the process of undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the issues raised and the options for dealing with them, with a view to designing an appropriate transfer mechanism. My aim is to have the new system in place before the start of the 2007/2008 milk quota year.