Seamus Kirk
Question:192 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to introduce an appeals procedure for dissatisfied applicants for CAP reform related payments.
Written Answers. - CAP Reform Payments Appeals.
There are appeal arrangements within my Department open to farmers who are not satisfied with decisions on applications for premium and headage grants. My Department is the competent national authority for implementing the premium and headage schemes and, as such, must take all decisions relating to payment or refusal of payment under those schemes. However, it can and does take into account all elements of cases made on behalf of applicants by those applicants, their public representatives, their farm organisations or by their solicitors, accountants or agricultural consultants.
In accordance with a commitment given by the Government in the context of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work I am presently considering proposals to speed up and make more effective appeals procedures within my Department under these schemes.
Jim Higgins
Question:193 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in the payment of 1992 suckler cow grant to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The herd number of the person named was cancelled inadvertently. It is regretted that this led to delays in making payment. However, the herd number has been reinstated and 1992 suckler cow premium was paid on 18 March 1994. This will be followed during the next few weeks by payment of 1993 suckler cow premium.