Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the outcome of the EU Agriculture Council meeting of 5 October 2009, particularly in relation to the dairy sector. [36203/09]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the views and recommendations of the proposed dairy consultative group will be published and made available to the public. [36221/09]

Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the role of the high level group of member states, established in early October 2009 at the special meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels held to discuss the dairy market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36058/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 68 and 71 together.

At a special meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers on 5 of October there was a full discussion on the need for measures to manage the dairy market in the period up to quota abolition and beyond. I welcomed the proposal of the Commissioner to establish a High Level Group of representatives to consider a range of options for the future, now that it is accepted by Member States, that quotas will be phased out by 2015, a position that once and for all brings clarity around the issue of milk quotas. The position of the French Minister for agriculture and others in accepting that quotas would end and in calling for an alternative regulatory framework was significant in bringing about this clarity. The newly established High Level Group will address a range of issues in this context.

In specific terms, the High level Group will examine medium term and long term ways of stabilising dairy farmer's incomes and improving market transparency. In its work towards delivering a comprehensive report by June 2010, the Group will examine means through which contractual arrangements in the supply chain can contribute to the highest possible returns for producers, giving them more bargaining power in the process and providing a buffer against extremes of market volatility such as those that are being experienced at present. It will also examine existing market instruments and consider what other means, including a dairy futures market, could contribute to the objective of price stability in the longer term.

As the first meeting of the High Level group took place earlier this week I was anxious to establish a Consultative Group so that I could hear the views of the experts here on issues emerging at the High Level Group. In particular the ideas, knowledge and expert opinion of the Irish dairy sector will provide key perspectives on how the sector needs to be developed and supported into the future. The consultative group will be representative of all the stakeholders and I will be asking the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, Macra Na Feirme, ICOS, IDIA and IDB to nominate representatives. In addition, Teagasc and academic interest will be invited to participate and these invitations are in the process of being issued.