Vol. 536 No. 3
91 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps under way at his Department to investigate the payment of premia under the EU ewe premium scheme for ewes which did not exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14057/01]
Given the unacceptable situation highlighted in the detailed assessment of applications in the Cooley area of County Louth, my Department is putting in place a range of additional controls under the 2001 ewe premium scheme. I will be availing of all mechanisms to tackle head-on any unacceptable practices unearthed in Cooley or elsewhere.
Because of the foot and mouth disease problem it has not been possible to carry out the normal level of on-farm inspections under the scheme this year. Under arrangements agreed with the European Commission member states affected by the FMD problem must put alternative controls in place. These involve, inter alia, cross checks against databases in the case of bovine schemes and in the case of the ewe premium scheme documentary checks which may be conducted on the spot or by administrative means. The controls will also focus on sheep slaughter data in meat plants and on details of sheep movements under the permit arrangements introduced on 3 March 2001. On the spot follow-up inspections will be carried out in appropriate cases. Payments will not issue under the 2001 ewe premium scheme in advance of satisfactory completion of all of the checking arrangements. Penalties will be applied where irregularities are found and, in cases of possible fraud, the gardaí will be involved.
