Joe Walsh
Question:111 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total amount due to Irish farmers under each of the 1996 headage and premia schemes. [4044/97]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The estimated total value, amount paid and balancing amount under each of the 1996 headage and premia schemes is outlined in the following table. It should be noted that of the balance estimated at £221.131 million some £150 million representing payments in respect of special beef premium applications submitted in November-December 1996, suckler cow applications submitted in October 1996, third instalment of the 1996 ewe premium and extensification premium is not yet due, or is only now becoming due for payment. In addition, and in line with past experience, not all estimated remaining cases will ultimately be paid.
Cases remaining to be paid under the headage arable aid and slaughter premium schemes, in the main, involve problems highlighted at inspection, area aid problems etc. Payments are continuing as problems are resolved.
Payments under the ewe premium scheme are normally made in three instalments. Payment of any of the instalments cannot be made until such time as the rate is set by the EU Commission and until a set number of days have elapsed following publication of the regulation. Payment of the first and second instalments—amounting to £66.434 million—has already been made. The rate of the third and final instalment was set by the EU on 24 January 1997. The regulation allowing payment was published on 8 February. Payment of the final instalment will, therefore, commence this week.
It is intended that balancing payments representing 20 per cent entitlement under the May 1996 suckler cow applications and special beef premium applications received in the period January-October 1996 will commence early next week. Payments to November special beef applicants are now about to commence following the end of the retention period and December special beef applicants can expect to receive payments from early March. In the case of October suckler cow applications, payment cannot commence until the retention period expires in April next.
Payment of the extensification premium cannot commence until such time as all eligible cases have been paid special beef and suckler cow premium. It is expected that payment of extensification premium will commence in early May and that payment will be finalised by 30 June 1997 in line with the charter commitments and EU requirements.
Estimated value of 1996 schemes as at 13 February 1997
|
Scheme |
Estimated Total Value of 1996 Schemes |
Amount Paid to 13 February 1997 under 1996 Schemes |
Estimated Balancing Amount under 1996 Schemes |
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
|
Cattle Headage and Beef Cow |
94.624 |
91.705 |
2.919 |
|
Ewe Premium |
87.000 |
66.434 |
20.566 |
|
Sheep Headage including Top-up |
22.500 |
22.379 |
0.121 |
|
Goat Headage |
0.030 |
0.019 |
0.011 |
|
Special Beef Premium |
195.000 |
98.269 |
96.731 |
|
Suckler Cow |
137.500 |
101.544 |
35.956 |
|
Slaughter Premium |
16.500 |
16.139 |
0.361 |
|
Equine Headage |
0.694 |
0.541 |
0.153 |
|
Extensification |
62.000 |
0.000 |
62.000 |
|
Arable Aid |
88.000 |
85.697 |
2.303 |
|
BSE Package |
69.140 |
69.130 |
0.010 |
|
Total |
772.988 |
551.857 |
221.131 |