Vol. 457 No. 7
306 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will accept area aid application forms up to 15 November 1995, in view of the fact that a number of farmers mislaid these forms during the busy summer period. [16404/95]
Rules governing the receipt of area aid applications are laid down in EU Regulations. Therefore, an extension of the closing date to 15 November 1995 from 28 April 1995 is not possible. Acceptance of a later application can be considered only in a case of force majeure, for example where an applicant suffers illness in the period leading up to the closing date and that illness is certified by a doctor. The mislaying of forms after the closing date would not constitute adequate grounds for force majeure.
