Vol. 407 No. 3
92 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the losses and hardship being suffered by farmers due to the number of refusals of payment of the special beef premium scheme because of minor technicalities; if he will use his good offices to have these restrictions lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the problems being faced by some farmers who failed to adhere to the terms and conditions of the 1990 special beef premium scheme and who suffered loss of the premium as a result.
The main reason for the refusal of the 1990 special beef premium was the failure of the applicant to respect the two month retention period which is a condition of the relevant regulation. The Commission did agree to allow us a large degree of flexibility in operating the scheme this year, given that we were changing from a full on-farm inspection system to partinspections but they were adamant that the two month retention period must be respected.
I am not entirely satisfied with the way the premium scheme operates in this regard and I am making a case to the Commission to have the conditions changed for the future.
