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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Jim Higgins

Question:

101 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will review the decision by his Department to suspend REP scheme payment for one year in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who entered the REP scheme on the basis of organic farming, and who, due to illness and hospitalisation, did not meet the requirement in terms of the organic bedding arrangement. [7247/01]

The organic farming body that had granted recognition to the person named as an organic farmer notified him that it was withdrawing his organic farming licence on animal welfare grounds. The body also notified him of its appeals procedure. The question of the admission of a late appeal is a matter between him and the organic farming body.

The person named is a participant in REPS and has made application for payment under supplementary measure 6, organic farming. To qualify for payment under this measure a participant must meet a number of conditions, one of which is to be registered as an organic farmer. Therefore, the withdrawal of recognition from him by the organic farming body has implications for his eligibility for payment under supplementary measure 6. I have requested officials of my Department's organic farming unit to contact the person named directly and to explain the situation fully to him.

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