This dataset as reported to the Rural Payments Agency contains Milk Quota 70 percent usage rule figures for 2011 to 2012.The usage figures compare the amount of milk delivered to purchasers or sold by direct sales with the producer's total permanent quota. The wholesale delivery figure used is the butterfat-adjusted delivery figure. The figures for unused quota in 2010/11 were again high because the expectation that there would be no wholesale levy had reduced the demand for quota. At the time of the last consultation on the option to introduce a 70% rule, the majority of respondents favoured confiscation of any unused quota in excess of 30%, and only if the producer failed to use 70% of his quota in three consecutive years. The introduction of a usage rule could not be expected to yield amounts of confiscated quota anywhere near the figures quoted above. The figure for those who have produced under 70% for three consecutive years matches the favoured usage rule option (if one were to be applied) amongst the respondents to the original consultation exercise. Attribution statement: © Rural Payments Agency
