Redistributing Surplus Milk Quota
Sherlock urged redistribution of surplus quota to small producers dependent on it for their livelihoods; the Chair stopped a personal allegation. The Minister said quota measures, including a forthcoming 1 per cent allocation, prioritise small producers and young entrants, while Connaughton objected that they had received little.
Would the Minister agree that where there is a surplus quota it should be redistributed to people who depend solely on the quota for their livelihood who feel that within a short time they will be out of business as a result of the restrictions? Would the Minister agree that it was deplorable that the President of the IFA should have been——
Comment on this
Please, Deputy Sherlock, bringing it down to individuals is hardly right in this House. This is a privileged Assembly and we ought not to make allegations against people outside who may not be able to defend themselves against such accusations.
Comment on this
On the general issue I assure the Deputy that every action I have taken in relation to quota allocation since I came to Government has been targeted specifically on the small producer, the young entrant to agriculture either through the flexi-milk scheme, the leasing scheme, the restructuring scheme, or, pretty shortly, the new 1 per cent allocation. I agree with the Deputy that this must be a priority in terms of social justice and the socio-economic policy.
