§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Ministry has to review the allocation and method of allocation of milk quotas(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) between EU countries. [17015]
§ Mr. Jack>Milk quotas have been allocated to producers in the United Kingdom in accordance with current EC legislation. That legislation will be reviewed before 31 March 2000 when it is due to expire. In the meantime the Government are pressing, so far without success, for a change in the rules to permit the leasing of milk quotas across member state frontiers.
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§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the UK's estimated milk production capacity; and what is the United Kingdom's total milk quota.
§ Mr. JackConditions in much of the United Kingdom are ideal for producing milk. But we are prevented from making the most of our natural advantages by the EC milk quota system. The UK's total milk quota is currently 14,590,047 tonnes.