261 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will qualify for a new milk quota following receipt of their green certificate in February 2010; and the criteria for securing a milk quota. [44766/09]

A person intending to acquire milk quota as a new entrant under the Milk Quota Trading Scheme must satisfy a number of eligibility criteria. These include having the necessary educational qualifications, having previously held no quota, and having their own lands, herd number and separate milking facilities. The detailed rules governing the scheme are available from my Department (including on its website) and from participating Co-ops. The first stage of the 2010/2011 Scheme will be completed shortly and a second stage will be implemented in the spring.

The same criteria, together with the requirement to submit a business plan, applied to successful applicants to the recently completed New Entrants Scheme. This scheme is currently being reviewed with a view to deciding whether to implement a similar scheme in 2010.