Sean Fleming
Question:21 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new independent agriculture appeals office will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4913/02]
Vol. 548 No. 4
21 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new independent agriculture appeals office will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4913/02]
The legislation governing the establishment of the new independent agriculture appeals office was enacted in July 2001. It is envisaged that the office will be operational in the spring of this year.
This new office will provide a statutory appeals system for farmers who may wish to challenge decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development regarding the payment of grants under the direct payment schemes to farmers. The office will deal with appeals under a wide range of schemes including the livestock premium schemes, the area based compensation scheme, arable aid, REPS, early retirement scheme, the on-farm investment schemes, the national beef assurance scheme and certain aspects of the disease eradication schemes. It will also provide an appeals system for dealers in livestock and poultry.