Seamus Kirk
Question:110 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position in relation to a ewe quota for sheep farmers in the Cooley Peninsula, County Louth. [24676/01]
Written Answers. - Ewe Quota.
Under EU regulations governing the ewe quota regime, farmers holding ewe quotas are required to use at least 70% of the quota every year, otherwise the part not used will be forfeited and returned to the national reserve. However, farmers who could not use at least 70% of their quota because of exceptional circumstances, may be allowed retain the full quota to be used in the following year.
My Department can accept that the circumstances under which farmers in the Cooley peninsula had to destock as a result of the foot and mouth situation, were exceptional and consequently the 70% usage rule will be waived for those farmers for the years 2002 and 2003. The position will be reviewed during 2003.