Vol. 541 No. 5
201 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the changes which are being made in the suckler cow quota system for 2002; the reduction in existing quotas which will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23320/01]
One of the requirements set out in EU Council Regulation 1512/2001, published on 23 July 2001, is that unused suckler cow quota returned to the national reserve in 2002 and in 2003 may not be reallocated from the national reserve until 2004. This means that the amount of quota available for distribution from the national reserve in 2003 will be limited to the quota derived from the deductions made as a result of the sale of quota in 2003. This is estimated at 2,500 premium rights. Individual quotas will not be reduced as a result of the implementation of this regulation.
