Vol. 542 No. 5
142 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if it is intended to continue to apply the 180 head special beef premium limit from 1 January 2002, as opposed to the 90 head limit agreed at the Luxembourg Farm Council in July 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25099/01]
The EU regulations governing the special beef premium scheme limit payments of this premium to 90 head per tranche per holding. However, member states may derogate from this limit on the basis of objective criteria that are part of a rural development policy and only on condition that they take into account environmental as well as employment aspects. It is my intention to avail of this derogation and, to this end, my Department has recently submitted a draft scheme to the European Commission for their approval. I will be making an announcement on the matter when the consultations with the Commission have been completed.
