John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will intervene on a person's behalf (details supplied) and have a refund of the levy issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16147/04]

Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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EU and national regulations on the milk quota system specify that, where the national quota is exceeded, the overrun must be shared between those producers who contributed to the excess. The regulations do not provide for exceptions in individual cases and therefore it is not open to me to intervene in this case. The amount of levy payable in individual cases can, of course, be reduced by the distribution of unused quota (flexi milk) resulting from other producers not filling their individual quotas. This distribution is done on the basis of objective criteria.

My Department on a regular basis throughout the year publishes estimates of milk deliveries and the extent to which these are under or over the national quota and advises producers to keep in close touch with their co-operatives-dairies in this matter.