HC Deb 22 October 1987 vol 120 cc888-9W
25. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the working of the milk producers outgoers scheme.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The response to both the schemes which opened on 10 June has been very limited. This no doubt reflects the profitability of milk production and our flexible transfer arrangements, which enable British farmers who want to reduce their production to dispose of quota relatively easily. As previously announced, the national scheme closed on 16 October, and the community scheme will close at the end of the month.