HC Deb 18 December 1985 vol 89 c209W
Mr. Phillip Oppenheim

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the current operation of milk quotas in the European Community.

Mr. Gummer

In the first year of the system, 1984–85, deliveries of milk in the European Community were reduced by about 4 per cent. to the level of the quota. Only the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands exceeded their quotas, and both member states paid the required levy. If present trends continue, deliveries in the Community this year may slightly exceed quota, and the Commission has urged those member states where the quota may be exceeded to warn their producers that levy will be payable unless production is cut back.