Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Allocations of milk quota from the National Reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers.

The person named has applied to the Tribunal in the current 2007/2008 quota year. The first meeting of the Tribunal is scheduled for 13 December 2007; however this application will not be considered until a later meeting, to take place in the first quarter of 2008.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I established the Dairy Consultative Committee to advise me in the evaluation of policy proposals in advance of the 2008 CAP Health Check. The milk quota element of the Commission's Health Check paper, released last week, focused on the preparation of a soft landing for the end of dairy quotas in 2015, primarily through a gradual increase in quotas but also through possible changes in other policy instruments such as adjustments to intervention or to the super levy. I want to ensure that in the negotiating position that I will adopt, I have direct access to the broadest possible views, particularly those of the key stakeholders in the industry, to assist me in that process.

The dairy consultative committee is broadly representative of the dairy sector, with representatives of the main farmer and industry organisations on it. In addition, relevant state agencies and other individuals are also participating. Mr. Jim Beecher, Assistant Secretary General with responsibility for the livestock sector in my Department, is chairman. The Committee held its first meeting in October and the membership is as follows: