Vol. 503 No. 7
37 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the improvements, if any, negotiated in the final Agenda 2000 CAP reform deal in the rules governing extensification payments for livestock; the way in which they compare with the original proposals; when they will become effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10989/99]
The new extensification premium payments system which was adopted under the Agenda 2000 agreement last month by the Council of Ministers provides for the payment of two rates of premium payments on animals which have qualified for the suckler cow and special beef premium, provided they meet new stocking rate criteria. They represent a considerable improvement on the original Commission proposals which contained restrictive stocking density conditions and which it is estimated would have excluded some one third of those producers currently claiming extensification premia. The stocking rate calculation will be based on all cattle on the farm over six months including the number of ewes on which ewe premiums applications have been made. Under the existing extensification premium arrangements only bovine animals on which applications for the suckler cow and special beef premium have been made, the milk quota held by the producer and the number of ewes on which applications for the ewe premium have been made are taken into consideration in measuring stocking density.
The new extensification premium will come into force next year with the premiums increasing each year up to 2002. The rates of payment are as follows:
|
Period |
Stocking density |
Payment per head |
|
(Euro) |
||
|
2000 to 2001 |
Under 1.6 L.U./Hectare |
66 |
|
Between 1.6 L.U./Ha-2.0LU/Ha |
33 |
|
|
2002 and afterwards |
Under 1.4 LU/Ha |
80 |
|
Between 1.4 LU/Ha – 1.8LU/Ha |
40 |
