Vol. 515 No. 3
126 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has had the level of payment in his 1999 suckler cow grant reduced due to an alleged breach of conditions; and if he will make arrangements for an immediate refund of all penalties in view of the fact that replacement animals were notified to his Department. [5826/00]
The person named applied for premium on 16 cows under the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme on the 27 May 1999.
At an on farm inspection carried out on 15 November 1999 it was found that two of the animals applied on were disposed of within the retention period and had not been replaced with eligible animals, other suckler cows or in calf heifers. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme the person named failed to comply with the retention period requirement and the two animals in question were rejected with a consequent reduction penalty on the other 14 animals.
127 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork had his level of ten month beef premium on three animals reduced; and if he can withdraw an application for a ten month beef premium on 11 animals in view of the fact it appears no payment will be made due to stocking density. [5827/00]
Under the EU regulations governing the special beef-bull premium scheme there is a stocking density limit of two livestock units per hectare of the forage area declared on an applicant's area aid application.
The person named declared a forage area of 13.82 hectares on his 1999 area aid application thereby giving him a stocking density limit of 27.64 livestock units. This person also had a milk quota of 23,928 gallons in 1999, which when divided by his average yield of 922 gallons, accounts for 25.95 livestock units. The balance of livestock units available for the special beef premium is 1.69.
The person concerned made the following applications for special beef-bull premium: five animals on 8 March 1999 and 11 animals on 22 December 1999.
Four of the animals listed on the first application were proper to the ten month age category. The remaining animal was submitted for bull premium but was ineligible on age grounds. The 11 animals on the second application were proper to the ten month age category.
As the person concerned is only entitled to payment on 1.69 livestock units payment can only issue in respect of 2.81 animals. (1.69 divided by .6) 90% amounting to £216.50 has issued in respect of 2.81 animals. The remaining animals are not due payment as the person named has exceeded his stocking density limit. They are, however, deemed to have received the premium for the category for which they were deemed eligible. Applications for special beef premium, once submitted, cannot be subsequently withdrawn.
128 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when 1999 cattle headage will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [5828/00]
The person named included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The herdowner has been contacted in this regard. No payments can issue until this matter has been resolved.
129 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when 1999 sheep headage will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [5829/00]
The person named included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The herdowner has been contacted in this regard. No payments can issue until this matter has been resolved.
130 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be paid on all the land listed on his original 1999 area aid application, including leased land. [5830/00]
The person named submitted an area aid application, which included a parcel of land in respect of which a dual claim has been determined. My Department has contacted both herdowners to clarify the matter. No further payments can issue until this matter has been satisfactorily resolved.
