Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jul 1991

Vol. 410 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Austin Deasy

Question:

57 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of his recent announcement regarding charges in the special beef premium scheme; if this includes concessions for farmers who were disqualified from payment in the 1990 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. O'Kennedy)

Up to the time the recent concession was given by the EC Commission any 1990 special beef scheme applicants who had disposed of some of the male cattle listed on their applications before the expiry of the minimum two months retention period were refused all 1990 special beef premium. The EC Commission has now agreed, however, to allow payment in such cases on the cattle that were not disposed of by those farmers provided the applicants met all other requirements of the 1990 scheme.

The EC Commission have made it clear that this concession applied only for 1990 because it was a transitional year from full on-farm inspections under this scheme to a reduced level of inspections. The concession does not apply to the 1991 special beef premium scheme and all applicants under that scheme must comply with the retention requirements of the scheme or face loss of all 1991 premium.