Suckler Cow Quota.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004

Thursday, 28 October 2004

Ceisteanna (295)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

295 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position with regard to the allocation of entitlements to farmers who purchased at the end of 2002, 20 additional entitlements from a farmer or farmers; the way in which this will be allocated within the framework of the reference years 2001-02; if steps will be taken within her Department to ensure that farmers who paid €12,000 to acquire such suckler cow entitlements are left with same, having duly purchased them, at the end of 2002; the way in which she intends to deal with such purchases to ensure that the purchasing farmer derives the benefit thereof at this point in time during the course of the allocation of the entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26748/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I assume the Deputy is referring to suckler cow quota rights.

The official trading period for 2002 suckler cow quotas was 1 January 2002 to 30 June 2002. The official trading period for 2003 suckler cow quotas was 1 January 2003 to 30 June 2003. There was no official trading period for suckler cow quotas at the end of 2002.

A farmer who purchased suckler cow quota during the trading period for 2002 will have received some benefit of it in his or her single payment. In addition he or she will also have benefited from payments under the 2003 and 2004 suckler cow premium schemes, the national envelope top-ups and extensification premium, if eligible.

A farmer who purchased suckler cow quota in any of the years 2001, 2002 or 2003 may apply to the single payment national reserve for entitlements under the investment category and application forms will be available in November. In this regard, he or she should contact the single payment section of my Department at Michael Davitt House, Castlebar, County Mayo, telephone No. 094-9035300, where his or her name will be recorded for the purposes of issuing an application form as soon as they become available.