asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the financial implications of clause 7C of the headage grant application form for farmers in receipt of cattle headage grants.
Written Answers. - Headage Grants.
22.
The clause mentioned refers to the limits on the amount payable per forage hectare which are set by the EC with the object of restricting benefits to farmers in the disadvantaged areas on land with carrying capacity in excess of one livestock unit per hectare, one of the criteria used for classifying such areas.
I am aware of the fact that as a result of a reduction in the forage area limits last year by the Commission a number of farmers with high stocking rates received somewhat less money than in earlier years under the disadvantaged areas schemes but I must point out that the previous forage area limits enjoyed by Ireland were exceptionally generous because of the sympathy shown us by the Commission after two years of wretched weather in 1985 and 1986.