Milk: compensation for the reduction in individual referencequantities and for the discontinuation of milk production

The European Parliament adopted the report by Mr DEBATISSE on the proposals for four Council regulations setting the prices of agricultural products and certain related measures for 1993-1994 in the milk products sector. The report relates to a proposal amending the regulation establishing an additional levy in the milk and milk products sector and the regulation setting an allowance for the reduction in individual reference quantities in the milk sector and an allowance for the definitive cessation of milk production. Only the amendments proposed by the Committee on Agriculture were adopted by the European Parliament. Speaking at the end of the vote, Mr DEBATISSE deplored the Commission's and the Council's absence when the vote was held and highlighted the European Parliament's wish to restore confidence in farming. The amendments voted by the European Parliament should allow it to prepare to regain its place on the world markets, while the provisions also aimed to encourage the farmers' role in maintaining and caring for the countryside. Finally, the rapporteur welcomed the realistic and responsible choices made by the House, which had adopted a position very close to that submitted by its Committee on Agriculture.�