550 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of farmers who are not using their milk quota; and the estimated gallonage lying dormant. [1570/97]

There are an estimated 9,000 milk quota holders who are not themselves involved in milk production. The amount of quota concerned, approximately 84 million gallons, is not, however, dormant as it is produced by other milk quota holders by way of land leasing or temporary leasing arrangements.