Ned O'Keeffe
Question:142 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the outcome of an appeal regarding a slaughter premium on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [25575/01]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The person named was paid an amount of £367.99 in respect of 18 animals slaughtered under slaughter premium 2000 scheme. The person named is due slaughter premium in respect of 21 animals slaughtered-exported during the January-June 2001 period. An amount of £701.23 will issue to the person named before the end of October 2001. The person named indicated that he was to submit additional documentation in regard to his 2000 special beef premium application but has not done so to date.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:143 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when payment of a slatted shed grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [25576/01]
The national scheme for the control of farm pollution, now replaced by the new farm waste management scheme, was extremely successful and uptake exceeded all expectations. The EU-imposed ceiling for expenditure under this scheme has been reached and my Department has applied to the EU Commission to formally raise the ceiling. A number of payments under the scheme, including payment to the person mentioned in the question, has been delayed pending receipt of this formal approval. Following recent discussions between my Department and the European Commission a positive response is expected very shortly. All payments will issue immediately approval is received.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:144 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the suckler cow premium scheme 2001 is being processed. [25577/01]
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:146 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Cork retains a suckler cow quota of 16 animals. [25633/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 146 together.
The person named submitted his application under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme after the closing date for receipt of applications. In normal circumstances, applications received after the closing date incur a 100% late application penalty. However, the herd of the person named had been depopulated under the disease eradication scheme in September 2000. While it was derestricted in February 2001 animal movement restrictions were in place due to foot and mouth disease and he was, therefore, unable to purchase replacement animals until July 2001. I am, therefore, prepared to accept his application in what were exceptional circumstances.
The person named may retain his full suckler cow quota of 16 premium rights for the year 2002. Under EU regulations, farmers holding suckler cow quotas greater than seven are required to use at least 90% of the quota every year, otherwise the part not used will be forfeited and returned to the national reserve.