§ Mr. Beggsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has plans to purchase milk quotas from retiring dairy farmers in Northern Ireland and for redistributing such quotas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 25 May 1984 [c. 559–560], that the Government have decided to make funds available to compensate farmers who wish to give up milk production. The arrangements will operate in Northern Ireland and, as announced by my noble Friend on 25 May 1984, the released quota will be made available to assist producers wishing to stay in milk.
§ Mr. Beggsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent the expansion of Northern Ireland milk production was encouraged by official development schemes and advice from the Department of Agriculture.
§ Mr. Chris PattenSince the inception of the development plan schemes (the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Scheme) in 1974, almost 5,000 development plans have been approved of which it is estimated that approximately 60 per cent. included dairy-related investments.
The advice of the Department of Agriculture to prospective promoters under these schemes is invariably tailored to individual circumstances, taking account of the potential of businesses to achieve the objectives of the schemes in the light of current economic conditions and market situation.
It is not possible to quantify the extent to which such investments or departmental advice have contributed to an expansion in milk production.