Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Oct 1993

Vol. 435 No. 1

Written Answers. - Suckler Cow Quota Reserve.

Richard Bruton

Question:

19 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the provision he intends to make for the construction and allocation of a suckler cow quota reserve; the conditions that will be applied to applicants; when allocations will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Seán Barrett

Question:

53 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the provision he intends to make for the construction and allocation of a suckler cow quota reserve; the conditions that will be applied to applicants; when allocations will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 53 together.

EC regulations governing the suckler cow premium scheme provide for the establishment of a national reserve and a special reserve for the disadvantaged areas for allocation to certain categories of producers.

The national reserve is to be established by the deduction of premium rights from quota holders and is to be equivalent to between 1 per cent and 3 per cent of the total allocated to producers in the State. The special reserve for the disadvantaged areas is to be equivalent to 1 per cent of the individual quotas allocated to producers in those areas. These reserves cannot be established until all applications submitted in 1992 have been processed.

In order to assist producers, my Department accepted applications under the suckler cow premium scheme up to the end of 1992. The scheme provided for a 6 months retention period — which in many cases did not end until 30 June 1993. When these applications have been processed, I will announce the size of quota deductions to be made for the purpose of establishing the national reserve and the priority categories for the allocation of both reserves. Producers will then be invited to submit formal applications for reserve quota and to provide evidence in support of their claim.