asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some farmers in County Carlow have not yet been paid the calf premium for the second half of 1987; that an inspection has not been carried out to date; and if he will take urgent action to expedite the matter.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
78.
A small number of herd-owners applied in January 1988 for calf premium on calves born in the second half of 1987. I understand that nearly all inspections on foot of these applications have been completed and that payment on all such cases will be made shortly.
The vast majority of farmers waited until June 1988 to apply for premium on their calves born in the second half of 1987 and also on their calves born up to 15 June 1988. Inspections on foot of these applications are nearing completion. It is a requirement of the calf premium scheme that premium cannot be paid on a calf until it reaches six months of age so payment on foot of these inspections cannot commence until after 15 December 1988 — that is until after all calves born up to 15 June 1988 have reached six months of age.
Due to pressure of payments under the disadvantaged areas schemes, suckler cow and special beef premium schemes it is expected that payments in respect of applications lodged in June 1988 will not commence until January 1989 and continue for approximately two months.
79.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether the ewe premium should be paid in respect of the number of animals presented for inspection and retained for the 100 day period from 13 March 1988 in the light of the difficulty for many farmers in the production of veterinary, Garda Síochána or veterinary laboratory certificates now required to account for losses between date of application and inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The EC regulations governing the operation of the ewe premium scheme which is fully funded by the European Commission specify that the premium is payable in respect of the number of ewes the applicant undertakes to keep on his holding for 100 days from the closing date for receiving applications which this year was 11 March. These regulations also provide that if, at inspection, the applicant presents less than the number he undertook to maintain, the premium will only be paid on the number he actually presents on condition that the decrease in numbers took place as a result of natural circumstances relating to the life of the flock.
To comply with audit requirements, applicants may be asked to produce supporting evidence that their ewe numbers fell because of natural circumstances i.e. disease, marauding dogs etc. My Department have no evidence to suggest that it is any more difficult now to obtain veterinary or Garda Síochána certificates than at any time in the past.
80.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a farm improvement grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
Two grants under the farm improvement programme were paid recently.