Coughlan announces milk quota changes

DETAILS of the 2005 milk quota restructuring scheme as well as other changes to the milk quota regulations were announced yesterday by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

The scheme will be part of a two-year restructuring programme, with the price for the purchase/sale of quota into each co-op’s pool fixed at 17.5 cents/litre (80c/gal) in 2005, which will be reduced to not more than 12 cent/litre (55 cent/gal) in the 2006 scheme.

Ms Coughlan said the intention is to allow dairy farmers plan ahead with greater certainty, enabling the restructuring programme to operate more effectively, having regard to the need for more competitive milk production arising from the mid term review of the CAP. A number of operational deadlines in this year’s scheme have also been brought forward.