Vol. 512 No. 6
159 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the category of milk producers affected by his decision in respect of the clawback on milk quota leased for the past three milk marketing years; if he will cat egorise the milk producers effected by the 10% and 20% clawback rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26861/99]
Information on this matter in the form requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
The milk quota clawback measure was introduced in order to encourage the transfer of quota via the restructuring or temporary leasing schemes and thus to ensure it is directed as far as possible to smaller less well off producers who have first priority under these schemes. All land-quota transactions, including leases and sales are affected by clawback irrespective of size category of the producer involved. Special exceptions are provided for in the case of family transactions.
The quota which is clawed back is added to the national reserve and is allocated to producers, free of charge, on hardship grounds or on a temporary basis on animal disease grounds.
