Vol. 530 No. 5
89 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason an application for additional milk quota in hardship cases by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was not successful; and the criteria used in selecting the successful candidates. [4303/01]
The milk quota appeals tribunal was established to consider applications for additional quota from producers who have suffered extreme hardship as a result of the introduction of the milk quota system. In assessing these applications, the tribunal takes account of the following factors: current quota size; off-farm income and/or other farm enterprises; size of holding; family circumstances, including succession; commitment to dairying; financial problems; previous allocations from the national reserve; and low butterfat representative level.
While every application to the tribunal is treated in a fair and sympathetic manner, it has not been possible within the constraints of the limited amount of quota available to meet the demands of quota from all applicants. I understand the person in question applied for additional quota from the milk quota appeals tribunal. His case was considered at a meeting of the tribunal on 30 January 2001 but, unfortunately, he was not recommended for an allocation. He has been notified of the outcome of his application. The tribunal is not in a position to re-examine this case during the current milk quota year but he may apply again when application forms become available for the 2001/02 milk quota year. These application forms will be available from milk purchasers and from the milk policy division of my Department after 1 April 2001.
