Michael Noonan
Question:220 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of an application for extra milk quota under the hardship scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [25097/03]
Written Answers. - Milk Quota.
Allocations of milk quota from the national reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal is a body established to consider and advise on applications for additional quota from individual producers who have suffered severe hardship in the context of the milk quota system.
I understand the person named last applied to the tribunal on the grounds of hardship in 1997, but on that occasion the tribunal did not recommend allocating additional quota. However, he may apply again in the current 2003-04 quota year. Details of the 2003-04 hardship scheme will be announced shortly and application forms will be available from co-operatives and from milk policy division, Department of Agriculture and Food, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.