Allister opposes 2% increase in Milk Quotas
13 March 2008
During a debate on the future of milk quotas in the European Parliament, Jim Allister MEP challenged the logic of the Commission's proposal to permit a 2% increase in 2008 in circumstances where EU production is significantly sub-quota. With Northern Ireland heavily dependant on the international trading of dairy commodities, Mr Allister is concerned that a 2% increase could destabilise the market for milk powders and butter. "With spiralling production costs, we need stability and markets retaining their strength, whereas the introduction of millions of tonnes of extra milk on the market could be very damaging", said the Traditional Unionist MEP. Mr Allister proceeded to vote against the Commission's proposal.
In the course of his remarks in Parliament Mr Allister said:-
"Mr President, I share the concern of many in this House about a definitive increase in milk quotas. I think the point we have arrived at requires the asking of fundamental questions, which includes the fact that, if we have a prevailing underproduction and sub-quota situation in Europe, then what really is the underlying justification for increasing quotas? This year, we expect three million tonnes’ under-usage, so what is the great rush in this regard?
Secondly, in terms of the much talked-of soft landing, we need to have particular regard for those regions which have built their structure and their strategy supplying other regions which are currently limited in their production – regions such as my own constituency, which supplies across the border to the Republic of Ireland. In terms of a soft landing, we need to find a long-term strategy and alternative outlets for regions such as this."
