Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position on the abolition of the milk quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8837/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The current Milk Quota regime was extended to 2014/15 as part of the 2003 Luxembourg Agreement on the reform of the CAP. A review by the EU Commission is scheduled for 2008/09, and any proposals submitted by the Commission will be considered by the Council of Ministers at that time.

Commissioner Fischer Boel has already stated her preference for the abolition of quotas in 2015, and a number of possible options in this regard have been flagged by the Commission. My Department, with the support of Teagasc and the dairy sector, is studying the likely impact of any changes in the quota regime, and in the event that the Commission comes forward with further proposals in this area I will participate fully in the Council to ensure that the best interests of the Irish dairy sector are protected.