Michael Finucane
Question:159 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when BSE compensation will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [4168/98]
Written Answers. - BSE Compensation.
The regulations governing payment of the 1996 BSE compensation package (which was paid out in October 1996) provided for the payment of top-ups in respect of animals which qualified for payment under the 1995 EU special beef premium scheme or 1995 suckler cow premium scheme. The regulations also provided for adjustments, upwards or downwards, later on to take account of the number of animals qualifying for payment under the 1996 EU special beef premium scheme and 1996 suckler cow premium scheme. In effect, the regulations required that when all balancing payments under the 1996 EU special beef premium scheme and 1996 suckler cow premium scheme were made, a comparison was to be carried out between the number of animals qualifying for payment under the 1995 schemes and the number qualifying under the 1996 schemes. Money was recouped from those farmers who had fewer animals qualifying under the 1996 schemes. The person named was paid BSE special beef premium top-up on two male animals amounting to £38.16, based on the 1995 special beef premium scheme. He had no eligible male animals in 1996 and for this reason the sum of £38.16 was recovered from his 1996 BSE suckler cow top up payment. All BSE compensation payments due have therefore been made.