Enda Kenny
Question:229 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason an application in respect of forestry plantation (details supplied) was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3102/94]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Forestry Plantation.
I presume the Deputy's question relates to the issuing of approval to the person concerned for the higher rate of premium payable to farmers under the CAP Forest Premium Scheme.
Under this scheme the premium for farmers is payable to those who meet a number of conditions, including a 25 per cent on-farm income requirement. This requirement was introduced by the European Commission last February. A derogation from this requirement was secured in order to ensure that those who had already received planting approval would not be disadvantaged by the imposition of the threshold. This derogation applied to all those who had received planting approval from my Department between 1 August 1992 and 15 February 1994, the date of the Commission decision. This decision was conveyed to the public through a press release which issued from my Department at that time.
My Department's records show that the application for planting approval from the person concerned was received on 14 February, 1994. Following consideration of the application, including an on-site assessment, approval was conveyed to the applicant on 28 March 1994. I regret to say therefore that, in accordance with the Commission decision, this application cannot benefit from the derogation. The applicant is of course eligible for the non-farmer premium as well as the full planting grant subject to the conditions of the scheme.