Vol. 552 No. 4
79 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department will rescind the decisions made on a sheep quota of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that due to financial difficulties this person was unable to fill her quota and was unaware that it would revert to the national reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12705/02]
Under EU regulations governing the quota regime, farmers holding ewe premium quotas must, except in duly justified exceptional circumstances, use at least 70% of their ewe premium quotas every year, otherwise the unused part of the quota is withdrawn and transferred to the national reserve.
The person named did not apply for ewe premium in 2001 nor did she lease out her quota in 2001. She was written to on 3 August 2001 seeking the reason for the non-use of her quota but no reply was received from her. In the circumstances, the quota was returned to the national reserve and it cannot be restored to her at this stage.
If she intends to apply for the ewe premium scheme in 2003 – she did not apply in 2002 – she may apply for an allocation of quota from the 2003 national reserve and I have arranged for an application to be issued to her when they become available in August next.
