Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. It is a major issue at farm gates. I hear stories every day of the week about people who have ceased milk production and dried off stock they have invested huge amounts of money in over the years. As the Minister said, such people are often progressive dairy farmers who are trying to make sure they are on the curve when quotas are abolished and the new system is introduced post-2015. They are currently at a huge disadvantage.

During the last Priority Questions a month or six weeks ago the possibility that butterfat could be adjusted was discussed. The issue seems to have receded. Some of the main players in Europe are reluctant to re-enter negotiations. However, some countries are hugely under quota. Ireland is hugely over quota. There are arrangements in place between dairy farmers. We have to apply huge pressure to correct the butterfat situation.

Post 1 January 2012 there will be a new presidency of the European Union. Perhaps the issue could be introduced to the agenda as a priority issue at the meeting of the Council of Ministers on agriculture or various other levels. The Minister stated he held discussions with various Ministers. He held discussions with the German Minister since the last Priority Questions, who will not negotiate. Are other like-minded countries in the same position as Ireland or will they be on 31 March?

Everybody has to advise people to stay within quota. Decisions that affect people staying within quota were taken at dairy farm level two or three years ago. I ask the Minister to outline to the House the possibilities when the new presidency takes over on 1 January. What partners do we have in Europe to push the agenda forward?

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