Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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1228. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the details of the final milk quota trading scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38612/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I recently announced details of the 2014/2015 Milk Quota Trading Scheme, which will be the final scheme prior to the abolition of milk quotas in April 2015. There will be two stages to the Scheme, with a closing date of 11 October 2013 for the first stage, and 7 February 2014 for the second stage. The Scheme will, once again, be comprised of three elements:

- a maximum price priority pool,

- a market exchange, and, if necessary,

- a National pool.

30% of all quota offered for sale will be reserved for distribution at a maximum price of 3 cents per litre from the Priority Pool, and the remaining 70% will be offered for sale on the Market Exchange. In the event that sellers only dispose of some of their quota on the market exchange in their Co-op areas, the balance of their quota may be redistributed, through a national pool, to buyers who have had only part of their demand satisfied on the market exchange in their Co-op areas. Quota purchased under this Scheme will be available to the buyer on 1^st April 2014.

Application forms are available from Co-operatives. Detailed rules are available from Co-operatives, or directly from the Meat and Milk Policy Division of the Department, and on the Department's website .