Vol. 577 No. 4
120 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the availability of extra sheep quota to farmers in the next few months; if extra quota will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31691/03]
The closing date in respect of the 2004 ewe premium scheme has been set at 24 December 2003 and applicants must retain their ewes for a retention period of 100 days commencing on 25 December 2003 and ending at midnight on 2 April 2004. The closing date in respect of the 2004 ewe premium quota national reserve was 26 September 2003 and all allocations of quota have now been made with the exception of query cases. In accordance with EU regulations, applicants under the ewe premium scheme must have their ewe premium quotas in place on the date they lodge their ewe premium applications. Consequently, it will not be possible to re-open the national reserve or to accept any further applications to this reserve.
Ewe premium quota may be bought or leased on the open market but farmers must ensure that the quota transactions are completed not later than the date they lodge their 2004 ewe premium applications.
