OUTSPOKEN quota broker Ian Potter gave a double presentation to Monmouth farmers.

Top of the bill at the Carrs Billington meeting at the Royal Oak was the dairy industry and the CAP mid-term review.

Mr Potter of Ian Potter Associates, said all non-producing quota holders had to transfer their quota to an active producer by March 31, 2004. Currently the quota price was 4.25ppl and could be sold as hundred per cent used by the deadline.

"Financially, it will be the weaker businesses who rely on leased-in quota who will struggle as they will have to consider purchasing quota," said Mr Potter. "Younger entrants and a number of tenants will also find the going tough."

Mr Potter said the dairy section of the CAP reform proposals would dominate farmers' future plans.

However, he believed that the cuts in support prices would not be as brutal as thought, that the compensation would be diluted, and that full de-coupling would not happen by 2004.

He also believed that too many farmers were doing too little to encourage young people. Farmers also made too much of the negative aspects of dairying. "Life should not revolve around the cows and milking time. Cows and milking time should revolve around life," he said.