Ms Anne Randles:

I thank the Deputies for the question. Deputy Ó Cuív asked whether it was a realistic possibility that something could be done in terms of reducing the superlevy. The discussion is still open and we must continue to insist that a solution is found to what is a very protracted issue that we are most unfortunate to find ourselves in. We need to focus on this at a time when farmers throughout Europe who have identified a future for themselves in dairying and are investing for the abolition of quotas. It is very disappointing two and a half months out that we are still looking at this. I accept that one of the Deputies said that it had been raised over 12 months ago in this committee.

There are technical amendments. It was referenced in terms of the butterfat adjustment. It is within the ability and scope of the European Commission to make that decision within the forum of the milk management committee. It is a regulatory change which can be done and there must be continued pressure on the Commission to make that adjustment on butterfat, which will certainly reduce the penalty although it will not abolish it.