(Limerick West): asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there are very long delays, sometimes up to 12 and 14 weeks, before the MCA refunds on live cattle exported to Britain are paid to exporters; whether there is any action open to him to speed up the payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - MCA Funds.
98.
Before MCAs on live cattle exported to Britain can be paid the appropriate T5 forms certifying export and endorsed by UK Customs must be received by my Department. Some six to eight weeks from the date of export usually elapse before these forms are returned by UK Customs. While delay in returning T5 forms lies outside our jurisdiction, my Department deal as speedily as possible with the forms when received and payments are normally issued within two to three weeks. A longer period can however arise in some cases where additional documentary checks have to be made, for example verification of weights of animals, end use etc.