Vol. 551 No. 2
197 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will intervene on a person's behalf (details supplied) and rescind the decision made by his Department on his suckler cow quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10064/02]
Under EU regulations, farmers holding suckler cow quotas greater than seven are required to use at least 90% of the quota every year, otherwise the part not used will be forfeited and returned to the national reserve. The person named held a suckler cow quota of 18 premium rights but used only seven in 2001. He was written to in September 2001 seeking the reasons for the non use of at least 90% of his quota. In his reply he said that he intended to increase the number of heifers that will be eligible for the suckler cow premium scheme in 2002. In the light of that reply, he was allowed retain his full quota of 18 premium rights for 2002 strictly on the basis that he would use at least 90% in 2002.
He wrote again on 7 March and said that he could only keep six cows for 2002 mainly due to financial and personal pressure. As these reasons cannot be regarded as constituting exceptional circumstances, they could not be accepted, and he was so informed on 12 March. However, if he can furnish evidence that he cannot use at least 90% of his quota in 2002 because of exceptional circumstances, i.e. circumstances outside his control and which he could not have foreseen, I will have the matter examined again.
