asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the new farm improvement programme that was announced during the course of 1989 whereby farmers who changed from the farm improvement programme to benefit from the improved western package measures earlier in the year and who will now be reverting to their original farm improvement programme to benefit from the new measures, could lose significant grants in certain circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - New Farm Improvement Programme.
57.
When the revised western package was introduced the EC agreed as a special concession that farmers already following investment plans could have these plans terminated so as to avail of the higher grants under the western package — up to a ceiling of £20,000 — on condition that they completed the major eligible items of investment provided for in their plans. When this investment was completed they were eligible to take a further plan.
I am not aware of any difficulties in the operation of this arrangement. However, if the Deputy has details of cases of difficulties I will have them examined.