Vol. 434 No. 4
135 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not been paid the 1992 ewe premium; and if he will have arrangements made for the payment of the premium.
Payment of the 1992 ewe premium to the person named was delayed due to an error in computer records. The matter has been rectified and payment issued on 4 October 1993.
136 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will pay beef premia due to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim.
The person named was paid his June 1992 special beef premium scheme grant in mid-December 1992. His December 1992 special beef premium scheme application is being processed at present and if found in order payment will issue shortly.
137 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have arrangements made for farmers to be paid headage grants and other grants for cattle sold off the land before the herd is read on the farm in view of the urgency of the matter and the fact that there is no difference between selling cattle off the land when punched and selling cattle off the land unpunched; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In late July I announced a concession under which my Department would accept official mart or licensed meat export premises dockets for cattle, other than cows, sold after Monday, 2 August 1993, for payment purposes under the cattle headage scheme in more severely handicapped areas. The concession did not apply to the EC suckler cow premium scheme or the EC special beef premium scheme. Applicants for the suckler cow premium scheme can dispose of suckler cows within the six-months retention period but are required to replace them promptly with other eligible suckler cows or eligible in-calf heifers. Applicants for the EC special beef premium scheme are required to hold the male animals on which they have applied for premium for two months from the date of lodgment of their applications. They may dispose of their animals after the end of the retention period but should retain receipts as proof of dates of disposal.
