Pat Breen
Ceist:175 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare did not qualify for the suckler cow quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21251/02]
Written Answers. - Suckler Cow Quota.
The person named established a suckler cow quota of three premium rights in 1993. On 31 August 2000 he applied to the 2001 national reserve for an allocation of three additional quota rights. Following examination of his application he was provisionally allocated three premium rights from the national reserve and was notified accordingly on 13 November 2000. The allocation was made on the basis that he would use his entire quota of six in 2001 by applying for and qualifying for six animals under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. Since he applied for premium in respect of only five animals, that provisional allocation of three quota rights was reduced to two, giving him a quota of five rights for 2001 and following years. While the foot and mouth restrictions imposed a ban on sales at livestock marts on 26 February 2001, my Department considers that the person named had sufficient time from mid-November 2000 to purchase the additional animal to qualify for premium. In addition, farm to farm sales recommenced on 14 May 2001 which enabled farmers to purchase animals before the 29 June 2001 closing date for receipt of applications under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme.
Under the arrangements in place it is not permitted that a farmer can retain reserve suckler cow quota that he does not require to ensure pay ment of the suckler cow premium for the year in question.