TY  - JOUR
AB  - The Common Agricultural Policy has tried to address a host of
issues including security of food supply, stable prices for farmers and
consumers, preservation of the environment and maintenance of links with
the rest of the European economy. In 1984, the EC was forced to take
steps to curtail surplus milk production which its policies had
initially encouraged. Milk quotas were introduced. However, as with many
CAP instruments, the outcome of policy implementation has been the
opposite to that which was expected. The overall effect has been to
discourage production efficiency and the development of any kind of
competitive edge. The limitations of quotas are leading to industry
polarization, with large producers getting larger at one end, and
increasing numbers of smaller producers, unable to achieve the scale to
survive, at the other. Suggests that whatever new or revised national or
EC policy measures are introduced, price will ultimately control the
fortunes of the dairy sector – whether or not quotas remain a tool
to control supply. Concludes by asking whether the sale of milk has
changed from an agricultural issue to a social one, as increasing
numbers of small farmers require income support as a direct result of
the quota scheme. Should quotas continue or should a completely new
strategy be devised to promote an industry able to compete favourably
with producers on a global scale in the future?
VL  - 94
IS  - 5
SN  - 0007-070X
DO  - 10.1108/00070709210012777
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/00070709210012777
AU  - Corbett David
PY  - 1992
Y1  - 1992/01/01
TI  - Milk Quotas – Benefit or Constraint? Why a Common Agricultural Policy?
T2  - British Food Journal
PB  - MCB UP Ltd
SP  - 38
EP  - 40
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -