HC Deb 10 July 1986 vol 101 cc255-6W
33. Mr. Hicks

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has decided what the figure for the annual milk production per cow for the standard milk quota should be in the determination of the quota compensation formula; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

In setting the prescribed quota per hectare for England and Wales I intend to use a yield per cow of 4,500 litres and a stocking rate of 1.8 cows per forage hectare. This gives a figure of 8,000 litres per hectare after rounding. Lower figures will be set for the less favoured areas. I intend prescribing 7,000 litres per hectare for disadvantaged land and 6,000 litres per hectare for severely disadvantaged land. I am also considering prescribing separate figures for certain breeds of cattle.

In all cases the prescribed quota will be approximately 11 per cent. below the corresponding prescribed average yield. This means that the standard quota for any particular holding will be normally some 11 per cent. below the yield which is considered reasonable for that holding having regard to the quality of the land and the climatic conditions.