Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the reply of 7 June,Official Report, column 465, how many of the 801 milk producers who were contracted out of production had applied for milk quotas to the Department of Agriculture (NI) prior to 31 July; and when they were advised that they should apply by 31 July.
§ Mr. ViggersWhile various inquiries by producers had been made during the period 31 March 1984 to 31 July 1988, the exact number could not be determined without incurring disproportionate cost. The European Commission only announced in September its proposals for dealing with the European Court judgment about milk quotas and the non-marketing of milk scheme. One of its conditions for eligibility was that former producers must have applied for additional quota before 31 July 1988. Obviously advice could not be given to producers to apply before that date because the proposed deadline was not known until after it had passed. The United Kingdom and other member states have been expressing strong reservations about the proposed 31 July 1988 deadline. Consideration of the proposals continues and it is likely to be some time yet before the final arrangements are established.