Ned O'Keeffe
Question:193 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a suckler quota will be allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [13605/02]
Written Answers. - Suckler Cow Quota.
The person named applied for an allocation of suckler cow quota from the 2002 national reserve under category D. This category, which ranked fourth in priority after category A for young farmers under 35 years of age, category B – farmers with holdings on off-shore islands and category C – organic farmers, was reserved for farmers who were regular applicants for the suckler cow premium scheme but who required additional quota to ensure the viability of their holdings.
The amount of quota available for distribution was 2,598 premium rights and all of this was distributed to eligible farmers under categories A, B and C. Because of the scarcity of quota, not all eligible applicants under category C received an allocation. There was, therefore, no quota available for distribution to any eligible applicants under category D.
The person named may apply for an allocation of quota from the 2003 national reserve and I have arranged to have an application form sent to him when the forms become available in late July.