In February 2012 my Department announced details of the 2012 Scheme for the Allocation of Milk Quota to New Entrants to Dairying, with a closing date of 4th May 2012. About 270 applications were received in my Department before this deadline. These applications were subject to a preliminary examination to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria as set out in the detailed rules of the scheme. All valid applications have been submitted to the Assessment Panel for examination and it is expected that the Panel will have completed its work by mid August, at which time I intend to announce the results of the scheme.
Question No. 669 answered with Question No. 640.