The Milk Quota Temporary Leasing Scheme allows milk producers to offer for lease through their milk purchaser on a temporary basis all or part of their milk quota that they do not expect to use in the current quota year. If a producer intends to offer 80% or more of their quota to the scheme they must first apply to my Department for a Ministerial Declaration permitting them to do so. Approval for such applications can only be granted in force majeure or other duly justified cases, where production capacity has been temporarily affected.
The person (details supplied), was granted a Ministerial Declaration for the 2008/2009 milk quota year. It was made known to him at that time that my Department would not be in a position to consider any further applications for a declaration under the same circumstances.