Vol. 510 No. 3
61 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason it is necessary to insert 1993 as a cut-off year for young farmers who applied for milk quota under the new five million gallon category; his views on whether it would be fairer to distribute the special allocation to young farmers under 35 years who have milk quota of less than 35,000 gallons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22443/99]
Having considered various options and having consulted all of the interested parties, I decided that a cut off date for entry into milk production seemed the most equitable and practical way of targeting the particular category in question. The date chosen is that on which the quota regime in its present form entered into force.
When EU approval is received my Department will put in place a scheme for the allocation of that quota. At that stage, final details of the scheme will be published and application forms will be available from my Department and from milk purchasers.
