Ivor Callely
Question:95 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the top ten payments to farmers under the set-aside scheme; the principal feature of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5329/99]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The arable aid support system incorporates two schemes. The simplified scheme is confined to producers who are claiming compensation on a maximum of 15.13 hectares of cultivated land. There is no set-aside requirement under this scheme. The general scheme is open to all arable producers irrespective of the areas sown, but has a set-aside requirement.
The term set-aside in the context of arable aid payments means the leaving fallow of land which in the previous year had been cultivated to crops or set-aside as part of a publicly funded set-aside scheme.
Under the conditions of the 1998 general scheme, producers were required to set aside a minimum of 5 per cent and a maximum of 15 per cent of their total arable area. These limits have been amended to 10 per cent and 20 per cent respectively for 1999.
Payment in respect of set-aside land under the 1998 general scheme was at the rate of £347.13 per hectare. Following are the ten highest payments to general scheme applicants in 1998 in respect of their arable land which was set aside under that scheme: £33,216.87; £23,177.87; £19,408.04; £18,307.64; £15,853.43; £14,905.76; £14,853.69; £14,464.90; £14,322.58; £14,183.73.
Michael Creed
Question:96 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to benefit under the new fodder scheme. [5334/99]
The person named did not lodge an application under the 1998 suckler cow premium, ewe premium or sheep headage schemes and did not hold a milk quota at 1 April 1998. Therefore he will not qualify for payment under the 1999 fodder scheme. If he wishes to be considered under the special fodder hardship scheme 1999, he should contact his local Teagasc office for an application form and general conditions. It will be open to him to submit an application if he meets these conditions.
Michael Creed
Question:97 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to benefit under the new fodder scheme. [5336/99]
The person named did not lodge an application under the 1998 suckler cow premium, ewe premium or sheep headage schemes and did not hold a milk quota at 1 April 1998. Therefore he will not qualify for payment under the 1999 fodder scheme. If he wishes to be considered under the special fodder hardship fund scheme 1999, he should contact his local Teagasc office for an application form and general conditions. It is open to him to submit an application if he meets the conditions.
Ivan Yates
Question:98 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be paid full entitlement under the special beef premium scheme; and if payment will be expedited. [5338/99]
The person named above submitted six applications, two under the ten month special beef premium scheme and four under the 22 month scheme for 1998.
1. 1st ten month application in respect of 18 animals submitted on 18 February 1998. Two animals were previously paid and payment of £1154.17 which represents 80 per cent of 16 animals has issued.
2. 1st 22 month application in respect of four animals submitted on 18 February 1998. Payment of £288.54 which represents 80 per cent of four animals has issued.
3. 2nd 22 month application in respect of 11 animals submitted on 17 August 1998. One animal was deleted as an innocent error and payment of £721.36 which represents 80 per cent of ten animals has issued.
4. 3rd 22 month application in respect of one animal submitted on 10 September 1998. Payment of £72.13 which represents 80 per cent of one animal has issued.
5. 2nd ten month application in respect of 71 animals submitted on 30 November 1998. This application was the subject of a field inspection. During the course of that inspection, it was discovered that four of the animals applied for were not present in the herd at the time of application and were duly rejected with penalties. The herdowner was notified of this rejection in a letter dated 19 February 1999. He was also advised of his right to appeal this decision.
6. A fourth 22 month application in respect of 48 animals submitted on 30 November 1998. During the course of the inspection mentioned at 5. above the 22 month application was cleared for payment. Payment is expected to issue shortly.