Introduction
Dairying occurs throughout Scotland in areas where the land is of sufficient quality to sustain good pasture. The main milk fields are to be found in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, the Clyde Valley and North East Scotland. In 2007 production of milk and milk products accounted for around 12.5% of agricultural output in Scotland, worth an estimated £264 million. In 2007 there were around 200,000 dairy cattle in Scotland spread over 1,830 holdings with 1 or more dairy cows.
Milk Quotas
The Milk Quota system exists to control the production of milk and milk products within the European Union. This section describes the milk quota, and how it affects milk production in Scotland, it also provides links to the main European and domestic regulations that govern the milk quotas system including the milk supplementary levy.
Promotion
Promotion of the Scottish dairy industry is undertaken by organisations such as DairyCo, which replaced the Milk Development Council, and Dairy UK. The Scottish Government works closely with these organisations and other industry representatives on a range of initiatives aimed at assisting the sector. This section will provide links for more information on these initiatives.
CAP Reform - Dairy Premium and Additional Payment
The Common Agricultural Policy reform package agreed by the Agriculture Council in July 2003 set out the institutional and commercial framework for the United Kingdom and European Union dairy industry for the remainder of this decade. A summary of the framework can be found in this section.