Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has the confirmed quota position for the 2010-2011 milk quota year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12603/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Estimated butterfat-adjusted deliveries for the 2010/2011 milk quota year, as published by my Department in mid-April, were 0.43% under quota. These are estimated figures, and a definitive outcome will not be available until August. However, it is hoped that this will confirm that the country has, fortunately, avoided a super levy.

All milk producers should consider this a timely reminder that quotas remain in place and that decisions on the day-to-day management of their dairy enterprises should be informed by a constant realisation of the need to avoid a potentially very damaging super levy. I intend to continue my efforts to raise the issue of the soft landing with Member State colleagues and with the Commission. The latter has resisted attempts to revisit this matter, and there is, in any event, no guarantee that a majority of Member States will support calls for a more flexible milk quota regime. Therefore Irish dairy farmers must continue to operate on the assumption that no further changes will be made to the quota arrangements agreed in the context of the CAP Health Check.