Vol. 542 No. 5
125 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he proposes to allocate flexi-milk quotas to help milk producers to deal with the effect of foot and mouth restrictions; his views on whether the matter is urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25093/01]
138 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the num ber of farmers who have applied for allocation of milk quota under the foot and mouth disease flexi milk allocation 2001-02 scheme; when the allocations are likely to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25104/01]
160 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the amount of milk quota he has put aside for hardship cases caused by foot and mouth; when individual farmers will be informed of the amount of the quota which will be available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24864/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 138 and 160 together.
I have introduced a scheme for the allocation of milk quota to producers who are experiencing quota problems as a result of animal movement restrictions due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak. Details, including the closing date for applications, are set out in Public Notice No. 94/12. I decided, for the current year, to set aside for this purpose seven million gallons from the additional quota, which I negotiated under Agenda 2000. The Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal is at present examining the 3,500 applications and will make recommendations on individual allocations in the next few weeks, after which applicants will be notified of their allocations.
