This company, which is a recognised producer group, under Council Regulation 2200/96, completed the first year of its operational programme on 31 December 1999 The company applied for aid on 31 January 2000. As required under the regulation, my Department forwarded relevant details of the aid applied for to the EU Commission. On 12 April 2000, the commission declared a ceiling of 3.61% on the level of assistance to be paid.
My Department is obliged under the regulations to carry out checks to ensure compliance with the conditions for grant aid. If all is in order on the completion of these checks, payment will be made shortly thereafter.