In view of the quota difficulties arising for many producers from the foot and mouth disease restrictions I am adopting a prudent approach on the definitive allocation of the 11.5 million gallons of additional quota under Agenda 2000 which is available from 1 April 2001. My Department is preparing a scheme which will make milk quota available on a temporary basis to certain producers who find themselves under serious quota pressure as a result of the foot and mouth disease restrictions on animal movement. Strict criteria will apply to these allocations.
I have decided to proceed with a permanent allocation of 1,300 gallons quota to younger farmers from the Agenda 2000 quota. This will be allocated to approximately 3,000 producers who benefited from the 5 million gallons scheme which operated last year and it will bring the total allocation of the majority in this group of producers up to 3,000 gallons each from the Agenda 2000 agreement. The permanent allocation of the remainder of the 11.5 million gallons will be made when I have completed legal consultations on the possibilities open to me. In that context I am looking at what can be done for certain categories of development farmers.