§ 26. Mr. EvansTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning milk quotas and the current levels of income of dairy farmers. [42747]
§ Mr. RookerI receive regular representations on a range of milk quota issues and on current levels of farm income, including that of dairy farmers, from farming organisations and individual milk producers. Milk quota still has a considerable positive value which demonstrates that the market believes that there is still sufficient profitability to justify this expenditure. The incomes of dairy farmers in 1998–99 are expected to be lower than in 1997–98, mainly as a result of lower milk prices.