Vol. 539 No. 2
79 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason farmers are being penalised by his Department by delaying the payment of sheep premia until his Department has completed its blood testing programme. [19118/01]
Given the unacceptable situation highlighted in the detailed assessment of the applications in the Cooley area of County Louth, my Department has had to put in place additional controls under the ewe premium scheme 2001. These involve a range of documentary and other checks, including blood testing. I have asked my officials to ensure that when they conduct these tests they pay particular attention to sheep slaughter data in meat plants and to details of movement under the permit arrangements introduced on 3 March. This exercise is ongoing.
I expect that payment of the first instalment of the 2001 ewe premium can commence towards the middle of July. Payment will not be made in those cases which are under query until such time as all outstanding queries have been resolved.
