1700 farmers to benefit from quota allocation
It was part of the additional quota granted to Ireland as part of the Agenda 2000 agreement. Almost 6,500 applications were received under the scheme.
Letters to the successful producers will be issued in the coming week informing them of the amount they are being allocated.
Mr Walsh said the beneficiaries are producers who suffered the loss of 10% or more of their dairy herd due to animal disease between 1978 and 1980 or who were following a development plan under the Farm Modernisation Scheme or the Reduced Interest Scheme which expired after December 31, 1983.
The average allocation will be in the region of 3,500 gallons but will vary, with a few as high as 20,000 gallons.
Mr Walsh praised staff in the department, Teagasc, milk purchasers and others who had helped in providing the documentation required to support applications.
The quota being allocated will be available for use during the current milk year and the minister said he was extremely pleased the complex task of assessing the applications made to his department was completed in sufficient time to allow this happen.
He said arrangements would be made regarding temporary leasing and the timing of the allocation for those receiving suckler cow premia to ensure they would not be disadvantaged in any way by being given this additional milk quota at this time of year.
Mr Walsh said there would inevitably be those producers who had applied and who would not be deemed eligible for an allocation for one reason or another.
He said he would ask the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal to look at appeals under this scheme and would set aside a specific amount of quota for this purpose.
ICMSA deputy president Jackie Cahill said the extra quota will be very valuable to the 1,700 farmers who receive it.
The fact there were 6,500 applications means there are 4,800 farmers who will receive no allocation.
“The high number of applicants proves once again the enormous demand for additional milk quota and the need to continue with priority categorisation,” he said.
“Some of these 4,800 farmers may qualify for additional quota from the special quota pool set up by the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. A quantity of quota of six million litres has been set aside for this purpose and the application forms for this pool will shortly be available at co-ops.”
