John Browne
Ceist:16 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when small scale milk producers can apply for special reserve quota in 1993, provided they have eligible cows.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Reserve Milk Quota.
Small scale milk producers who had eligible suckler cows in their herds on 1 January 1993 should have submitted their applications for the special reserve suckler cow quota to my Department by 17 May 1993, as required by EC regulations.
Small scale milk producers who did not have eligible suckler cows in their herds on 1 January may apply at a later date for an allocation of any unused balance of the special reserve quota. The period for the submission of such applications will be announced when the amount of the unused balance is established.
Many farmers are very worried about when they will be able to apply. They want to know the regulations. The Minister has quoted a Government statement made when the forms were released. It is very unsatisfactory for farmers who complied with the regulations but who did not have suitable cows. They want to know when they will be able to apply again. It is almost June and if they are to apply this year they will need to know soon. If they do not apply, how many millions in EC aid will be lost to this country if unused quota is not taken up? We need to know exactly what is available and advise farmers so that they can organise themselves. Farmers cannot get suitable cows overnight. It is in the best interest of the country that farmers know where they stand as soon as possible.
I appreciate the Deputy's concern. It is important to remember that this is a special suckler cow scheme for small milk producers. We negotiated a special quota of 63,400 animals for Ireland. I am conscious that many small milk producers did not have the type of animal which would qualify under the scheme. I had many discussions with farming organisations about that. It is for that reason that we have established the national reserve. There will be no question of the full allocation not being taken up because any reserve will be transferred to the national reserve. In addition, eligible farmers will have two years to increase their herds with qualified animals. It is in the interests of small milk producers that we retain this reserve for them specifically given that the country as a whole will not be deprived of the benefits associated with the quota. I wish to reassure Deputies that there will be no losses in relation to the national quota.