58 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will put in place a ring-fenced one-off system of compensation for livestock producers who have suffered losses due to the collapse of a company (details supplied). [12175/02]

In the circumstances where a factory goes out of business, such as has happened in the case in question, the recovery of any moneys due to losses incurred by farmers is a matter for resolution between themselves and the company's liquidators. I have no plans to put in place a system of compensation as suggested by the Deputy. In any event, any such intervention whilst awaiting the report of the company's liquidators, would be inappropriate.