Vol. 524 No. 6
176 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will allocate additional milk quota to farmers who were in the development category at the time that the milk quota was introduced in 1983-84, such as a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if there is any prospect of him getting additional milk quota allocations. [23502/00]
Following judgments in the Supreme Court in 1997 in favour of a number of plaintiffs, who were producers following development plans in the 1980s, this matter was referred to the High Court for assessment of damages. The High Court has already dealt with a number of those cases. The proceedings in the High Court concern some 110 plaintiffs involved in the original case, known as the Duff case, and in associated cases.
177 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the criteria which will be used to distribute the most recent allocation of milk quota; the way in which applications from young qualified farmers with small quota will be treated; the ceiling to be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/00]
I have not yet made any decision on the allocation of the second tranche of additional milk quota for this country negotiated by me as part of the Agenda 2000 agreement. Before taking a decision on this, I will, as is normal, consult with the widely representative milk quota review group.
