Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 6

Written Answers. - Extensification Premium.

Paul Bradford

Question:

110 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the calculations used to determine eligibility for the extensification premium will be reviewed and widened to allow applicants, just marginally over the limit, to be considered for the premium at a reduced rate; and if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork with respect to a 1999 extensification premium. [26586/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Under EU regulations, extensification premium is payable only where the stocking density on the holding is less than 1.4 Lus per hectare. There is no discretion within the regulations to allow applicants just marginally over the limit to be considered for the premium at a reduced rate.

The person named submitted 1999 applications as follows:

Special Beef Premium

22 month –14 @ 1Lu	14
22 month –11 @ 0.6Lu	6.6
Suckler Cow Premium	Nil
Ewe Premium	Nil
Milk Quota	Nil
Total Livestock Units	20.6
Area Aid	14.58 Hectares

The stocking density on the holding is calculated by dividing the total livestock units by the hectares, 20.6/14.58, giving a stocking density of 1.41 Lus per hectare.

As the stocking density of the person named is not less than 1.40 Lus-Ha he has no entitlement to 1999 extensification premium.