46 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the measures the Government has introduced since 1997 through the management of milk quota to assist small and medium sized dairy farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4268/02]

I have emphasised on many occasions that the main focus of my policy in relation to the operation of the milk quota regime in Ireland is to provide additional quota to small and medium size committed producers on a permanent basis and at a reasonable cost. My objectives are to improve the structure of milk production at producer level in Ireland and to make dairying a more profitable and efficient enterprise.

Since 1997, I have introduced restructuring schemes on an annual basis under which over 115 million gallons of milk has been sold to small and medium sized producers. During that time I have reduced the price of quota under these schemes from €0.49 per litre to €0.31 per litre, i.e., a decrease of almost 37%. In the same period, I reduced the price of temporary leased quota by almost 50% from approximately €0.06 per litre to €0.04 per litre.