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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 1

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Michael Creed

Question:

78 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a 2001 cattle headage payment. [23608/01]

The cattle headage scheme has been replaced in 2001 by the area-based compensatory allowance scheme. A condition of the new scheme is that applicants must meet a minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare in the year preceding application. However, farmers who are unable to meet that minimum stocking density but who traditionally qualified for headage grants in respect of cattle and-or sheep may continue to qualify for payment, provided their land is being utilised and is not in danger of undergrazing. The person named was not a headage recipient in 2000 and according to my Department's records, the stocking density of the holding does not meet the minimum stocking density. My Department will be in contact with the person named shortly with a view to establishing the type of farming activity being pursued. A decision on entitlement to area-based compensatory allowance will then be made.

Michael Creed

Question:

79 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason REP scheme payments to a person (details supplied) in County Cork were reduced; if an appeal has been submitted; and if so, when a decision can be expected on this appeal. [23609/01]

The third year application for payment from the person named was chosen for a compliance inspection. The inspec tion was carried out by my Department earlier this year and penalties were imposed. These penalties were made known to the person named.

In March 2001, an appeal against the penalties was lodged with my Department's REPS appeals committee. The normal procedure with such appeals is that an investigation, involving a farm visit, is first carried out and a report is submitted to the REPS appeals committee. The restrictions on farm visits because of the foot and mouth crisis delayed the inspection in this case. The investigation is now under way and when a report is received the entire matter will be considered by the REPS appeals committee. When a final decision is taken, the person named will be notified directly of the outcome.

Michael Creed

Question:

80 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason an area aid-based payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been reduced; if this person can appeal this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23610/01]

The person named was paid £1,543.05 under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme on 26 September 2001 in respect of 34.29 hectares of mountain-type land at £45 per hectare, together with an additional sum of £148.76 under a compensation package agreed with the European Commission for farmers experiencing losses under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme. The additional sum is equal to 90% of the difference between the average sum of the headage payments under the 1998, 1999 and 2000 headage schemes and the amount paid under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme.

In 1997, a review of mountain-type grazing lands for sheep headage purposes in the more severely handicapped areas and the less severely handicapped areas was carried out by my Department. All land classified as mountain-type grazing was subsequently identified as such on the land parcel identification system. This designation as mountain-type grazing suited most farmers, especially those engaged in sheep production, allowing them to be paid headage grants on mountain-type ewes. However, in designating the areas concerned on the land parcel identification system, regard had to be had to certain natural boundaries such as rivers and roads and it was not possible to exclude certain farms where sheep production did not take place.

The new area-based compensatory allowance scheme agreed in July 2000 and approved by the European Commission in the context of the CAP rural development plan provides for area-related payments as follows: more severely handicapped, lowland, £70 per hectare up to 45 hectares; less severely handicapped, lowland, £60 per hectare up to 45 hectares; and mountain-type land, £45 per hectare up to 60 hectares.

The scheme is currently under review with a view to finding the most equitable arrangements, with particular reference to farmers with mountain-type land.
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