Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures in view of the envisaged changes to the milk quota system, she will bring forward to encourage new entrants to the dairy sector; the way she will ensure that small dairy producers are not negatively affected by the changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13033/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation of milk quota to new entrants and small producers has been a feature of the milk quota system for a number of years. Preferential access to milk quota from a specially created priority pool was available under the Milk Quota Restructuring Scheme until 2006, and the same priority pool arrangement is a feature of the new Milk Quota Trading Scheme. Indeed, the quantities of quota available to new entrants — whether farming on their own or in partnership with parents — and small producers have been considerably increased as a result of my introduction of the latter scheme in 2007.

In addition, the changes I announced recently to the milk quota regulations will facilitate greater participation in Milk Production Partnerships, which will benefit new entrants and small producers. Farmers previously involved in beef or cereals production, for example, will be able to join forces with milk producers in developing their enterprises and bringing greater efficiencies and lifestyle improvements to their operations. There will also be no limit on the numbers that can participate in an individual Milk Production Partnership, which will in turn facilitate the participation of more than one son or daughter in New Entrant/Parent partnerships.

The recently-completed Milk Quota Trading Scheme in respect of the 2008/2009 milk quota year will be reviewed with the farming organisations and ICOS in the coming weeks, and any suggestions relating to new entrants and small producers will be considered by my Department.