Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the abolition of milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3575/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The current Milk Quota system was extended to 2014/15 as part of the Mid Term Reform of the CAP in 2003. The so called 'health check' to be carried out by the Commission in 2008 will consider the future of quotas as part of its overall examination of the CAP instruments. It is clear that detailed consideration is being given at Commission level on the future of the quota regime in the overall context of market supports. Indeed the Commissioner herself has made known her own views on the future of the quota regime in recent speeches and interviews.

It is too early in my view to take any definitive position on the future of quotas but clearly I had in mind the more competitive trading conditions that are looming in deciding to introduce a market led Trading Scheme for transferring milk quotas for the next quota year. I have also commissioned Teagasc which, together with FAPRI, has commenced an examination of the quota regime and its future relevance to the Irish dairy sector. This work will consider scenarios that would provide a soft landing should the Commission bring forward proposals in favour of the future abolition of the quota regime.