Coughlan to unveil quota intentions

THE 2% milk quota increase decided at last week’s European Council of Agricultural Ministers is to be allocated in Ireland on a permanent basis to every producer active on April 1 next — the start of the new quota year.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan, who will announce her intentions when she officially opens a new Emmental cheese plant for Tipperary Co-op today, said she had considered a number of allocation options suggested to her by various organisations.

However, she was satisfied that allocating 2% additional quota to every producer active on April 1 was the fairest and most equitable manner of allocation.