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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 4

Written Answers. - Area Aid Applications.

John Ellis

Question:

272 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the action, if any, he proposes to take in order to alleviate the problems being caused by the CPSU industrial action for people who are seeking Land Registry maps for their 1996 area aid applications. [11544/96]

My Department took a number of steps in an effort to minimise the impact of the recent CPSU industrial action on farmers intending to submit area aid applications in 1996.

The first step was to extend the closing date for receipt of area aid applications. The normal closing date for submission of area aid applications in any year is 31 March and EU Commission approval is required by any member state wishing to extend beyond that date. Ireland had already received EU approval for a closing date of 30 April to assist farmers in dealing with the new land parcel identification system which EU regulations required be in place for 1996. The latest date for which approval can be given is 15 May. Therefore, to facilitate farmers who experienced difficulties due to the industrial action in my Department, Ireland obtained EU Commission approval for a closing date of 15 May 1996 for receipt of 1996 area aid applications.

Second, and with particular reference to farmers who had difficulty obtaining maps to accompany their 1996 area aid applications, my Department offered farmers the facility to submit their area aid applications by 15 May 1996 without the necessary maps, provided that whatever maps were required were forwarded at the earliest possible opportunity after the closing date. This facility, which was widely advertised in the farming press, allowed farmers to submit their application forms on time and avoid incurring penalties for being late. Given that the industrial action ended on 21 May last, I would be anxious that any farmer who still needs to submit maps in support of his 1996 area aid application should do so before 21 June 1996.
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