Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Suckler Cow Quota.

John Perry

Question:

323 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the notice for suckler cow premium quota application from the national reserve is only advertised in the national newspapers and not in local papers; if the decision made on an application by a person (details supplied) will be rescinded in view of the fact that he was unaware of the change of the deadline date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1978/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

The person named has applied for an allocation of suckler cow quota from the year 2000 national reserve.

The closing date for the receipt of completed applications was Thursday, 23 December 1999. The application form of the person named was completed by him and his Teagasc adviser on Thursday, 23 December 1999. It was posted in Ballymote on 10 January 2000 and was received in my Department on 11 January 2000. The application could not be accepted at that stage as it could have the effect of depriving another farmer, whose application was received before the closing date, of a quota allocation.

The national reserve was advertised in the Farming Press and was extensively reported in both newspapers. Recurring schemes such as headage and premium schemes as well as national reserves are not advertised in local newspapers as it is considered that the market penetration of the specific farming newspapers is such that local advertising is not warranted.