Michael Creed
Question:42 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the proposals, if any, he has to distribute the remainder of the additional milk quota secured under recent CAP reform. [26436/99]
Written Answers. - Milk Quota.
On 13 October, I announced the eligibility criteria for the allocation of the additional 20.5 million gallons which becomes available on 1 April 2000. These are as follows: 15 million gallons will be made available to producers with quotas below 55,000 gallons who meet certain criteria. The criteria include a requirement that that they must have produced 90% of their quota in two out of the three quota years 1995-98, that they have not sold or leased quota with land during the period in question, that they have not temporarily leased quota in more than one year during the period and that they have acquired quota on a permanent or temporary basis during the same period; five million gallons will be made available to a special scheme for younger active producers who have commenced milk production since 1993. Criteria to apply to this category will also include the 90% quota usage level as well as those related to the purchase and leasing of quota.
Additional criteria in this category will include an age limit of 35 at the date of commencement of milk production, educational qualifications and a maximum quota after allocation of 35,000 gal lons. The maximum allocation to producers in this category will be 5,000 gallons. The balance of 500,000 gallons will be set aside for special cases arising out of the operation of the general distribution.
The detailed scheme for the allocation of the 15 million gallons was published in the national press this week and details on the allocation of the five million gallons will be announced as soon as possible.
I also indicated in my announcement on 13 October that I had decided not to take any decision at this stage on the 11.5 million gallons which becomes available on 1 April 2001.