Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Milk Quota.

Ulick Burke

Ceist:

137 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the way in which he will deal with situations where (a) dairy farmers are exiting from dairying on 31 March by selling their quota, (b) leased in quota comprises a significant portion of the previous years quota or (c) dairy farmers have been depopulated due to disease and are ceasing to supply milk in view of the published guide on Agenda 2000 which states that quota held on 31 March shall be used in the calculation of stocking density. [2835/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Under EU Regulations the milk quota held by a farmer at 31 March 2000 must be taken into account for the purpose of calculating stocking density for the two livestock units per forage hectare limit on suckler cow and special beef premium payments for the year 2000, irrespective of what arrangement the farmer makes in relation to the quota for the 2000-2001 milk quota year. Farmers who, because of the inclusion of the milk quota at 31 March in their calculations, exceed the two livestock units per forage hectare limit will, nevertheless, be paid suckler cow and special beef premium up to the limit.

The milk quota will not be taken into account in calculating stocking density for extensification premium purposes in the arrangements agreed in Agenda 2000. Only bovine animals actually on the holding, including dairy cows, ewes or hogget ewes entered for the ewe premium scheme and the forage area available to a farmer will be taken into account in calculating stocking density for extensification premium purposes.