Vol. 497 No. 2
126 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which he will distribute the £10 million aid package announced for fodder losses; the persons eligible for the scheme; and when this money will be paid to farmers. [24422/98]
Persons eligible under the fodder scheme are all sheep farmers with mountain grazings and suckler cow producers and small dairy farmers (with milk quotas of less than 35,000 gallons) in district electoral divisions in the worst affected areas based on a Teagasc survey completed in September. The counties concerned are Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.
Some 15,000 sheep farmers with mountain grazings will receive £4 per ewe or hogget up to 75 sheep. These farmers will also benefit from the sheep headage top-up. Over 31,000 suckler cow producers will receive £40 per suckler cow up to a ceiling payment of £300. Over 7,000 eligible dairy farmers will receive £30 per 1,000 gallons of quota up to a ceiling payment of £300.
Farmers who stand to benefit from a combination of the elements of the fodder scheme will receive a maxium payment of £300.
Sheep and suckler cow farmers do not have to apply for the payment. Payment will be made automatically by reference to the details on 1998 sheep headage and suckler cow application forms. These payments will be made as soon as EU Commission clearance is received for the scheme. The arrangements for daily farmers will be announced shortly.
