Vol. 563 No. 1
229 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a milk quota will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny on hardship grounds; the status of this application; the timeframe for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7209/03]
The allocation of milk quota from the national reserve is granted on the basis of recommendations from the milk quota appeals tribunal. The tribunal is a body established to consider and advise on applications for additional quota from individual producers who have suffered severe hardship in the context of the milk quota system. The named person has submitted an application for additional quota on the grounds of hardship. However, the amount of quota available for allocation at any given time is limited in the context of the large number of applications submitted. There is insufficient quota available for the remainder of the current milk quota year to enable the tribunal to recommend any further allocations and, unfortunately, it will not be possible to make an allocation to the named person in the current year. A letter has recently issued to him, outlining the above position.
The person named may apply to the tribunal in the 2003-04 milk quota year when the application forms become available. The forms will be available in the autumn from his milk purchaser or from the milk policy division of my Department.
230 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the 2002 suckler cow grant has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7242/03]
An application for 2002 suckler cow premium scheme for seven animals under the above herd number was received on 11 June 2002. Payment of the 80% advance entitlement issued to the applicant on 16 October 2002.
231 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a REP scheme payment. [7305/03]
An application for payment was received in my Department on 21 February 2003 and is being processed in accordance with the targets set out in the protocol on direct payments to farmers.
