James Leonard
Ceist:221 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the requests, if any, he has made to the EU for an increase in grain quota. [8780/96]
Written Answers. - Grain Quota Increase.
Under the support system for producers of arable crops which was introduced as part of CAP reform, area payments are limited to regional or national base areas reflecting the average of the areas which were used to produce arable crops — cereals, oilseeds, protein crops and linseed — or in set-aside during the years 1989 to 1991 inclusive. The national base area for Ireland is approximately 345,000 hectares. Since the new system was introduced under CAP reform the area cultivated in Ireland has been well below the permitted national level.