Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
142
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
the degree to which sheep and cattle premiums are paid to producers; if all payments are being made within the requisite time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28114/98]
The payment targets under the charter of rights for farmers for the main headage and premium schemes are very specific and in 1998 the payment commencement targets have been met or indeed surpassed under these schemes. EU regulations governing some of the cattle premium schemes also specify payment commencement dates.
The charter targets under the suckler cow and special beef premium schemes require that advance payments of 60 per cent commence on 1 November. Where the retention period is completed by 1 November in the case of special beef premium applicants and 30 November in the case of suckler cow premium applicants, all eligible advance payments will be made by 31 December Payments of the advances under the 1998 special beef premium started on 19 October 1998 as compared to the starting date of 1 November 1997 under the 1997 schemes. Arising from my approach to the European Commission, I secured this earlier payment date this year together with an 80 per cent advance instead of the normal 60 per cent advance in order to increase the cash flow to farmers in the October-December period. So far over £85 million has been paid in respect of January to September applications. This compares with £55 million paid at this time last year. Over 6,500 of January-September applications are under query and in these cases the farmers concerned have been written to on at least one occasion.
Payments under the suckler cow premium scheme commenced on 20 October 1998. The earlier commencement and higher rate of advance applies also to this scheme. To date over £102 million has been paid in respect of May 1998 applications. The position at this time last year was that over £75 million was paid under the scheme. Some 2,600 of May 1998 applications are under query at local office level. In all cases the applicants have been written to about the problem.
The charter specifies that payment under the deseasonalisation slaughter premium will be made within 60 days of application. In line with this commitment, payments under the 1998 scheme commenced on 10 March in respect of January applications and 99 per cent of applicants have been paid almost £26 million to date.
With regard to the 1998 ewe premium scheme, payment of the first instalment commenced on 19 June and 91 per cent of applicants were paid on that date. The second instalment of 1998 ewe premium was agreed at EU level on 2 October. The regulation giving effect to the rate was published on 16 October and payments totalling £24.699 million were paid to 97 per cent during week ending 23 October 1998.
Payments will continue to be made under the schemes as problem cases are resolved with a view to ensuring that the advance payments are made in all eligible cases by 31 December 1998 in line with the charter commitments.
Under EU regulations and indeed in line with charter commitments, full payments under the cattle premium schemes must be completed by 30 June in the year following the year of application. I have no doubt that in so far as the 1998 schemes are concerned, this payment deadline will be met.
