Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 4

Written Answers. - Suckler Cow Quota.

John Perry

Question:

241 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will rescind a decision made on the application by a person (details supplied) for suckler cow quota; if he will reinstate the full quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22908/01]

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

The herd number quoted is not registered in the name of the person named.

The person in whose name the herd number is registered, holds a suckler cow quota of ten premium rights. Under EU regulations, farmers holding suckler cow quotas greater than seven premium rights are required to use at least 90% of the quota every year, otherwise the part not used will be forfeited and returned to the national reserve. The person concerned applied for the suckler cow premium scheme in 2001 on five eligible animals and therefore only used 50% of his quota. He now stands to lose the five unused premium rights.

My Department wrote to him on 29 September 2001 seeking the reasons for the non-use of his quota and suggesting that if he submitted details of any exceptional circumstances that may have prevented him from using his full quota, the question of retaining his quota for 2002 would be considered. To date, he has not replied to that letter and in the event that he does not reply within the next few days stating reasons why the quota should not be forfeited, the five unused premium rights will be returned to the national reserve.