§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason the EU decided not to enlarge United Kingdom milk quotas until 2003. [78020]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 22 March 1999]: The agreement reached by EU Agriculture Ministers on 11 March delayed cutting milk support prices until 2003 as a means of reducing the overall costs of the Agenda 2000 reform package. Consequently, the introduction of direct payments and general increases in milk quota will also be delayed until 2003. However, some specific increases in milk quota, including an increase for Northern Ireland, will be introduced in 2000–01 and 2001–02.