§ Mr. Geraint HowellsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dairy farmers in England do not produce milk up to their allocated quota; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonLevy liability is calculated on the basis of the net excess over quota in the England and Wales Milk Marketing Board area as a whole, and separate figures for England are not available. In the 1986–87 quota year 16,611 dairy farmers in England and Wales produced less than their allocated quota.
At the end of each quota year, unused quota is utilised mainly to offset the supplementary levy liability of over-quota producers, and thereby provides an important element of flexibility within the system.