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Milk Quota.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2004

Wednesday, 26 May 2004

Questions (112, 113)

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

125 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person, details supplied, in County Cork who leases their milk quota can retain the ten year payment. [15847/04]

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Written answers

All producers who wish to temporarily lease their entire quota in the current quota year will have to seek prior approval from my Department to do so. In accordance with EU regulations, approval can only be granted in cases of force majeure — exceptional circumstances. There is provision in the regulations whereby persons who temporarily lease quota, due to force majeure exceptional circumstances accepted by my Department, may qualify to have the dairy premium in respect of the amount of temporary leased quota paid to them.

A person who temporarily leases quota other than in approved force majeure — exceptional circumstances will not get the dairy premium based on that quota as part of their single payment entitlements in 2005. It is not possible to comment on the case of the named person without detailed information. If exceptional circumstances apply in his case, then an application should be made to my Department for consideration.

Gerard Murphy

Question:

126 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on whether the off farm income limit in the milk production partnership scheme is unjust in view of the fact that the amount of milk quota available can vary from 1,500 to 40,000 gallons depending on the co-operative, details supplied. [15966/04]

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In extending the partnership arrangement to cover new entrants-parents, my objective was to cater for the establishment of a genuine partnership between the parent and the son-daughter, which entails a substantial involvement from the young person in the operation of the farm. In order to ensure this, it was necessary to put a limit on the level of off farm income which can be earned by the son-daughter. Similar conditions apply in the case of standard milk production partnerships.

My purpose in introducing the new entrant-parent partnership model was to allow a young person to have access to milk quota under the restructuring scheme in his or her own right and without the expense of having to acquire separate land and milking facilities. I received advice in this matter from representatives of a wide range of interests in the industry. The partnership arrangements operate on a national basis and must, accordingly, be subject to common rules.

I will, of course, continue to keep the operation of the rules under review and will make any necessary change where that is shown to be necessary.

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