§ 20. Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from dairy farmers whose preliminary allocation of secondary milk quota has on appeal been reduced; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingI have received representations from a number of producers in this position. But all producers 261W were warned before lodging their appeals that the tribunal could reduce awards made by local panels. The tribunal has a duty to amend panels' awards where necessary.
§ 24. Mr. Colin Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the progress made towards the introduction of flexibility into milk quota arrangements.
§ Mr. JoplingThe February Agriculture Council reached agreement on flexibility between direct sale and wholesale quotas. This was our first objective and it is a major improvement.
A number of organisations have urged the need for arrangements to enable quotas to be bought and sold separately from land. This would certainly have attractions though, as has been widely recognised, there would be a problem about providing for landlords' interests in quotas. I do not, however, see a system of this sort being immediately negotiable in the Community while the quota scheme itself is still being put in place.
Some flexibility would be introduced if quotas not required by one producer could be temporarily re-allocated to another through a system of leasing. My officials are consulting the interests concerned about the details of such a scheme and I intend to pursue this possibility with the Commission.
§ 25. Mr. Maclennanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on the future management of milk quotas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingI have received numerous representations. A great many will, I am glad to say, be resolved as a result of the package agreed at the February Agriculture Council.