Vol. 488 No. 4
147 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department will consider an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for the return of a sheep quota held in his name in the national reserve in view of the special circumstances relating to the case and the fact that this is part of a plan to place the holding on a firmer financial footing. [6395/98]
148 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department will review the decision in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny and restore his original 1997 suckler cow premium quota of 30. [6396/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.
The person named holds a ewe premium quota of 383 premium rights. This quota was not withdrawn and provided he continues to use at least 70 per cent of that quota every year, as required under EU regulations, the question of forfeiting quota will not arise. The person named holds a suckler cow quota of 30 premium rights. Under EU regulations he is required to use at least 90 per cent of that quota every year, otherwise the part not used will be forfeited and returned to the national reserve. The person named applied for the suckler cow premium scheme on 30 cows in May 1997 but payment was reduced to 19.1 cows because he exceeded the stocking density level of two livestock units per hectare. As less than 90 per cent of his quota was used, he stood to forfeit 11.9 premium rights to the national reserve.
I have, however, allowed him to retain his full quota of 30 premium rights on condition that he uses at least 90 per cent of the quota himself in 1998.
