Written answers

Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Milk Quota

10:00 pm

Photo of Áine CollinsÁine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 40: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views that Ireland could be over quota in the new 2011-2012 milk quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38935/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am of course concerned that Ireland could be over quota in the 2011/2012 milk quota year. Favourable market and weather conditions during the 2010/2011 milk quota year contributed to a dramatic increase in milk production, which resulted in a remarkable turnaround from a position where the country was 10 per cent under quota at the end of the 2009/2010 milk quota year. These favourable conditions have continued through the current quota year, and although supplies have begun to fall back in recent weeks, estimated delivery figures for the period up to the end of November show that the country is 0.41 per cent over quota.

In such circumstances, it is appropriate to again remind all dairy farmers of the need to carefully plan their production activities and to pay close attention to the limitations imposed by the quota regime if they are to avoid potentially very damaging super levy fines. This will be particularly important as the sector moves into the spring calving period in early 2012 and milk production resumes in earnest. Even allowing for a further increase of one per cent in the national quota since 1 April 2011, a repeat of the delivery pattern seen in spring 2011 could put the country in serious danger of going over quota. It is therefore incumbent upon every milk producer to continue to exercise the necessary caution and to seek advice from, for example, Teagasc on the most sensible approach to be taken in managing their enterprises as they enter a crucial phase of the preparations for quota abolition in 2015.

For my part, I intend to continue my efforts to raise the issue of the soft landing at every opportunity with Member State colleagues and with the Commission. However, 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.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.