Vol. 551 No. 4
95 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has met with the Milk Quota Rights Group recently; if so, the decision he has come to on this matter; when the Government expects to make a decision on this matter; and when these people will receive compensation. [10683/02]
Officials of my Department met the officers of the Milk Quota Rights Group earlier this month. A scheme for the allocation of additional quota to dairy farmers who satisfy certain conditions and whose initial quota allocation was low due to certain circumstances was announced by me on 7 November 2001 and the closing date for applications was 15 March 2002.
More than 5,000 applications were received and initial processing of these is taking place at present. The assessment of them will involve a considerable amount of work and I am unable to say at this point when that work will be completed and when allocations of additional quota will be announced. My Department will, of course, endeavour to have the applications dealt with as quickly as possible. Allocations made under the scheme will be effective from 1 April 2002, the start of the next quota year, to allow quota allocated to be used during that year.
