Vol. 537 No. 1
79 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the exemptions and special allowances which apply to the regulation governing the sale or lease of milk quota in the circumstance where the seller or lessor has been forced into this position as a result of ill health. [15354/01]
The provisions governing the transfer of milk quota are laid down in the 2000 milk quota regulations. There are a number of options, as outlined, open to such producers under the provisions of these regulations: it is possible for active milk producers, who cease milk production on ill-health grounds, to sell their quota together with the land to which it is attached; transfer by way of sale, lease or gift, the quota and lands to a family member, as defined in regulation 6 of the regulations; if they wish to retain their lands, the quota can be sold under a restructuring scheme or leased under a temporary leasing scheme for three consecutive years. There is, however, a provision in the regulations which enables the Minister to grant an exemption from the three year leasing restriction where the applicant has ceased milk production on ill health grounds but where the applicant or his or her successor intends to resume production in the short-term; it is open to quota holders who are no longer involved in milk production to transfer, by way of sale, lease or gift, the quota and lands to a family member; sell the quota under a restructuring scheme or temporary lease the quota if the quota has not been temporary leased for three consecutive years. The options, outlined in the second instance, above, are also open on expiry of the lease to persons who have leased their land and quota prior to 13 October 1999. Furthermore, lessors have the option to sell the milk quota to lessees, with or without leased lands.
