HC Deb 04 July 1984 vol 63 cc157-8W
Mr. Baldry

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what records of milk quotas there will be; and who will have access to them.

Mr. Jopling

The draft dairy produce quota regulations provide for registers of quota to be compiled which will give details of producers, their holdings, and their quotas. Access to entries in these registers will be available only to the occupier of the holding concerned and to any person who can show he has an interest in that holding.

Mr. Baldry

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has yet reached a decision as to whether dairy produce quotas may be marketed, and in particular, sold or leased.

Mr. Jopling

The Community legislation does not provide for the sale or leasing of quotas. We are, however, considering with the interests concerned what provision it might be possible to make for the transfer of quota from one producer to another.

Mr. Baldry

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the position with regard to milk quotas for someone who started dairy farming after 2 April.

Mr. Jopling

Milk producers who began operating after 1April 1984 and who can produce documentary evidence to show that they were firmly committed to milk production prior to the adoption of the Community regulations will be considered on an individual basis. Quota allocations to these producers will be decided when the quotas for other producers have been settled.