Written Answers. - Ewe Quota Scheme.
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:
197
Éamon Ó Cuív
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry
the categories of eligibility for allocation of ewe quota from the national regime in 1995; and the plans, if any, he has to modify these categories for the coming year.
[15441/95]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:
198
Éamon Ó Cuív
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry
whether he intends having a special category for small farmers in the ewe quota scheme for 1996 whereby flock owners with a ewe quota of less than 30 ewes will be entitled to an increase in quota automatically as long as they have eligible animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15442/95]
I propose to take Question Nos. 197 and 198 together.
The priority categories for the allocation of rights from the ewe national reserve in 1995 and 1996 are set out in the following annexes.
The new priority categories for 1996 have been selected with a view to directing the limited reserve quota towards (a) new entrants to sheep farming and (b) small flockowners, the viability of whose enterprise has been jeopardised by the operation of the quota system. These categories have been drawn up in the light of the recommendations of the Ewe Premium Quota Review Group.
In view of the limited availability of the reserve quota, it is not possible to grant automatic entitlement to producers with less than 30 ewes. Such producers can apply for the reserve if they meet the other conditions of the scheme.
Annex 1
National Reserve Quota — 1995 Priority Categories
Category 1
Farmers who applied regularly for the ewe premium scheme since 1988, including 1995, but whose ewe numbers in 1991 — the reference year — were lower than normal because of exceptional circumstances. Farmers who applied regularly for the ewe premium scheme since 1988, including 1995, but who did not apply in one or more of the years 1992, 1993 or 1994 because of exceptional circumstances may also qualify under this category.
Category 2
Farmers who applied for the ewe premium scheme for the first time in 1995, whose total income, including that of their spouse-partner does not exceed £15,700 per annum, at least 50 per cent of which is derived from sheep farming, and who satisfy the following conditions:
(i) if 26 years of age or over but under 35 years of age on 1 January 1995 they must
(a) have obtained the Teagasc Certificate in Farming or a higher qualification or
(b) have at least three years practical experience in farming and have satisfactorily completed a course in farming of a minimum duration of 150 hours or
(c) have at least five years experience in farming.
(ii) if under 26 years of age on 1 January 1995 they must meet the requirements set out at (a) or (b) above.
Category 3
Farmers who applied regularly for the ewe premium scheme since 1988, including 1995, and who can demonstrate that the viability of their enterprise will be jeopardised by the operation of the quota system. The total income of the applicant, including that of his/her spouse/partner, must not exceed £15,700 per annum and at least 50 per cent of that income must be derived from sheep farming.
Annex 2
National Reserve Quota — 1996 Priority Categories
Category 1
Farmers under 35 years of age who will apply for the ewe premium scheme for the first time in 1996 and satisfy the following conditions:
(i) total income, including that of his/her spouse/partner must not exceed £16,250 per annum;
(ii) at least 30 per cent of total income is derived from farming;
(iii) if already in farming his/her existing livestock units must not exceed 30 livestock units;
(iv) if under 27 years of age on 1 January 1996 they must:
(a) have obtained the Teagasc Certificate in Farming or a higher qualification or
(b) have at least three years practical experience in farming and have satisfactorily completed a course in farming of a minimum duration of 150 hours;
(v) if 27 years of age or over but under 35 years of age on 1 January 1996 they must meet the requirements set out at (iv) (a) or (b) or have at least five years experience in farming.
Category 2
Farmers who applied regularly for the ewe premium scheme and first time applicants in 1995 who can demonstrate that the viability of their enterprise will be jeopardised by the operation of the quota system and who satisfy the following conditions:
(i) total income, including that of spouse/partner must not exceed £16,250 per annum;
(ii) at least 30 per cent of total income is derived from farming; and
(iii) if already in farming an applicant must not have more than 30 livestock units.
Category 3
Farmers who do not qualify under the age criteria, but satisfy the other conditions attached to Category 1.
Note: Reserve quota will not be allocated to farmers in any of the above categories where the allocation of such quota would increase the number of livestock units on the applicant's holding above 30. Livestock units will be calculated on the basis of applications for the special beef, suckler cow and ewe premium schemes and the milk quota allocated to the applicant. In the case of milk quota, 897 gallons will be equivalent to 1 livestock unit.
