Vol. 533 No. 3
145 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a ten months special beef premium cannot be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in view of the fact that a proposed inspection could not be carried out because of the foot and mouth scare; if he will, in the circumstances, pay the grant without an inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8904/01]
An application for special beef premium in respect of seven animals was received by my Department from the person named on 24 November, 2000. Of the seven animals, only two were eligible for special beef premium based on the registered dates of birth of the animals. The application was selected for an on-farm inspection. All applications which are selected for inspection must be inspected prior to the issue of payment. In this case, the inspection has been postponed as part of the foot and mouth disease restrictions. In light of the current exceptional circumstances, my Department is considering whether there are alternative checks of an administrative nature which would be acceptable to the European Commission for releasing payments in this type of case.
