Seanad debates
Wednesday, 2 July 2003
Common Agricultural Policy: Statements.
Naturally, these calculations also forget to include the increase of 2.8%, or 32 million gallons, in milk quota, as secured in Agenda 2000 by the Minister. That increased quota has added about €50 million to the farm gate value of the milk output. The Commission proposal was for a ceiling of 30,000 tonnes per annum on intervention butter and the Minister has dealt with that idea. The final agreement secured by the Minister increases the ceiling to 70,000 tonnes initially, reducing over five years to 30,000 tonnes. This will allow a reasonable period for the dairy industry to re-orient itself to the market. Until ten years ago the dairy industry was doing well but it has lost its direction and there is an obligation on the management of co-ops, processing and the farmer representatives on the boards to ensure the maximum is available.
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