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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 3

Written Answers. - Suckler Cow Quota Scheme.

Tony Killeen

Question:

84 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if any farmers have been debarred from acquiring a quota under the scheme for suckler cows in dairy herds of 12,000 gallons to 25,000 gallons because of confusion on the definition of friesian cows under the scheme; and if an appeal forum will be made available for such farmers.

It is assumed the Deputy's question relates to the allocation of suckler cow quota from the special reserve set up by the EU to cater for farmers who had eligible suckler cows at 1 January 1993 and who (a) had milk quotas of less than 12,819 gallons but who were restricted to a maximum of ten suckler cows or (b) had milk quotas of less than 25,638 gallons.

Only farmers with beef type suckler cows — i.e. cows belonging to beef breeds or the progeny of crosses with beef breeds — were eligible to apply for quota from the special reserve. It is not known how many farmers were affected by the EU decision to confine the special reserve to beef type cows. EU Regulations provide for the unused balance of the reserve to be transferred to the national reserve and it is open to such farmers to apply for quota from the national reserve. This reserve is estimated to be about 60,000 premium rights.

In these circumstances the question of appeals in respect of friesian cows does not arise.

Tony Killeen

Question:

85 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the entire quota of £63,000, under the suckler cow scheme for dairy farmers with quota of between 12,000 gallons and 25,000 gallons has been allocated; and whether any excess will be directed to those on smaller dairy quotas.

Under EU Regulations a special reserve of 63,400 rights was set up to cater for farmers who (a) were allocated milk quotas of less than 12,819 gallons at 1 April 1992 and who applied in 1992 for suckler cow premium but were limited by the ten cow maximum rule and (b) farmers who were allocated milk quotas of less than 25,638 gallons on 1 April 1993 and who did not apply for suckler cow premium in 1992.

Applications for quota from the reserve will be processed in the near future. It is estimated that an unused balance of about 40,000 will be available and as required by EU Regulation, the balance will be transferred to the national reserve.

I have recently announced the priority categories to whom quota from the national reserve will be distributed. Small scale dairy producers referred to at (a) and (b) above are being given a very high priority in the allocation of this reserve.

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