§ 24. Mr. Livseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the details of assistance to dairy farmers as a result of the cutback in milk quotas over the next two years.
§ Mr. GummerThe Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in December agreed to increase the rate of compensation under the Community outgoers scheme to 27.5p per litre spread over seven years and to fix compensation for the temporary suspension of quota at 6.5p per litre per year. Regulations laying down the detailed arrangements for these payments are likely to be approved by the Council in the near future.
§ 38. Mr. Knoxasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement about the operation of milk quotas.
§ Mr. GummerI made a statement on 17 December describing a package of measures in the milk sector that had been adopted by the Council of Ministers. This agreement is a major achievement which will help restore balance to the market and should result in substantial savings to the Community budget.
§ 44. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many creamery workers he expects will lose employment as a result of the proposed 9.5 per cent. cut back in milk quotas in the next two years.
§ Mr. GummerI accept that the implementation of the quota reductions agreed by the Council of Ministers last month will be a painful process and may involve the loss of some jobs. The extent of possible redundancies will depend on a variety of factors including the industry's response to changes in the market.