Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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19. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans regarding super-levy penalties to be imposed on Irish farmers by the EU; if he will ensure these penalties will not be imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48284/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the rules governing the imposition of a super levy fine are set by Milk Quota Regulations agreed at EU level. Under these Regulations each Member State is allocated a volume quota of milk, above which it should not produce. In cases where Member States do produce in excess of their milk quota a super levy fine (of 28 cents/litre) has to be paid to the EU Commission by the milk producers who contribute to the over production.

It is not possible for me on a unilateral basis to adjust super levy rules. However, I have consistently called on the EU Commission to take action to ease the burden of the super levy in the final year of the quota regime. In this context a number of other member states are opposed to any action on this and have sought to link the issue to possible measures to regulate supply after quotas are gone. I am obviously resolutely opposed to supply controls after quota abolition next April on the basis that these quotas have only served to shackle Irish farmers over the last 30 years. The resultant stalemate means there is insufficient support for any change to the regulations and no agreement has been possible. I would urge farmers to use the time between now and the ending of milk quotas next March to identify, in conjunction with their dairy adviser, steps to manage both their milk supply and their dairy herds so that they have an efficient herd as they enter the post quota era. I note that the monthly intake of milk in November was 13% down on the same month last year and this suggests farmers are taking on-farm measures to reduce their exposure to potential super levy payments.