Vol. 548 No. 5
165 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has received an application from a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath for suckler cow quota; if he will ensure that this person is given at least 20 units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5800/02]
There is no record in my Department of having received an application from the person named for an allocation of suckler cow quota from the 2001 or 2002 national reserves. The closing date for receiving applications for the 2002 national reserve was 31 August 2001 and an application cannot be considered at this stage. If the person named intends to apply for the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme, he should consider leasing in or purchasing quota to enable payment on his eligible animals. The latest date for accepting leasing or purchase quota transactions is Friday, 29 June 2002.
The person named may apply for an allocation of suckler cow quota from the 2003 national reserve and I have arranged to have an application form sent to him when the forms become available in July next. I should point out that the amount of quota available from the 2003 national reserve will be very small and it is more than likely that there will not be sufficient quota to allow allocations to be made to all eligible applicants.
