Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will review her allocation of the milk quota to facilitate development farmers and thereby honour agreements to them that were previously in place. [13079/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, I announced recently that the 2 per cent quota increase for the 2008/2009 milk quota year, which was agreed last month by the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers, will be allocated to all milk producers active on 1 April 2008.

I took this decision after considering submissions from a number of organisations, including that representing development farmers. I believe that the allocation method I have chosen is the fairest and most equitable one possible, and acknowledges the efforts made by every individual producer to build up their dairy enterprises. I do not, therefore, intend to review the matter.