Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of milk quota sales which have had a clawback in each of the past five years; the numbers associated with an ERS participant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16765/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of milk quota leases which have had a clawback in each of the past five years; the numbers associated with an ERS participant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16766/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.

The term "clawback" was widely used in the 1990s to describe the forfeiture to the national reserve of a portion of a transferor's milk quota where the associated dairying lands were subject to transfer in certain circumstances.

The measure has not applied in the past 5 years. The European Communities (Milk Quota) Regulations, 2000 changed the regulatory framework of the milk quota system compared to the situation which applied in the 1990s.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views regarding the possibility of milk quota racketeering associated with the ERS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16767/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Participants in the Early Retirement Scheme may be granted approval to establish new leases for land and quota, other than with family members, in limited circumstances only. In particular, as set down in the European Communities (Milk Quota) Regulations, 2000 such approvals may only be granted where the existing lessee has reasonable cause not to renew the lease.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the pool of milk quota available for temporary leasing in each of the past five years; the corresponding figure for private land and quota leases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16768/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The table outlines the quantity of milk quota offered into Temporary Leasing Schemes in each of the past five years, and the quantity of milk quota involved in land and quota leases in each of those years.

Generally most land and quota leases run for more than one year, therefore the figures shown for a particular year combine the amount of quota subject to lease for the first time in the particular year, quota involved in leases commenced in an earlier year which continue in the particular year and the quota involved in leases renewed in the particular year.

Prior to 2003/04 a different method was used for compiling statistics for land and quota leasing, so figures for 2001/02 and 2002/03 may not be directly comparable with subsequent years.

The definitive figures for the 2005/6 Temporary Leasing Scheme have not yet been completed and the figure shown is an estimate only. A substantial part of the quota offered in 2005/6 was not allocated.