HC Deb 04 June 1984 vol 61 cc71-2W
Mr. Baldry

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if the Government will introduce any special financial aids to assist grassland livestock producers consequent upon the introduction of milk quotas;

(2) if the Government will consider introducing a scheme of transitional compensation payments for farmers affected by the introduction of milk quotas.

Mr. Maclean

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will introduce a scheme of compensation for dairy farmers that gives priority to compensating small producers staying in business rather than cessation payments to large producers;

(2) if he will introduce a scheme of compensation payments to dairy farmers so that those who farm on land suitable for other enterprises are treated less favourably than those who can do nothing other than dairy farming;

(3) if he will introduce a scheme of compensation for dairy farmers which does not have features which encourage large dairy producers to move into beef or sheep production.

Mr. Jopling

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Baker) on 25 May at column559.

Mr. Maclean

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the considerations he plans to take into account when deciding whether (a) to make milk quotas marketable and (b) to reallocate to smaller producers the quotas of those who have given up production; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jopling

The present regulations do not provide for marketable quotas. My reply of 25 May to my hon.

level of self sufficiency in the dairy sector as a whole for each member state of the European Community and for the Community as a whole, for each year since 1973.

Mr. MacGregor

In order to place all types of milk and milk products on a comparable basis which takes account of the varying butterfat content of different types of milk and products the attached table shows self-sufficiency in butterfat and milk solids-not-fat. Figures are provided for 1973 to 1982 but I regret they are not available for Greece.

Friend the Member for Dorset, North (Mr. Baker) at column 559 indicated the arrangements that will operate for compensation to outgoers and for re-allocation of quota released by outgoers.