Vol. 543 No. 2
219 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make a decision on the headage and suckler cow payment to a person (details supplied); the reason payment has not been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25859/01]
The person named applied on 13 cows and one heifer under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme persons with more than 15 livestock units must submit an area aid application if they wish to be paid in excess of 15 livestock units. As the person named did not submit a 2001 area aid application and as he has already been paid on 2.25 livestock units under the 2001 ewe premium scheme his payment under the 2001 suckler cow scheme is limited to 12.75 livestock units or 13.15 animals.
Therefore the 80% suckler cow premium entitlement to the person named is £1,707.98. An amount of £1,029.74 has been recouped from this in respect of arrears of annuity that are owed to the Land Commission and payment for £678.24 issued on 26 October 2001.
A herdowner must submit a valid area aid application for the relevant year in order to be considered for payment of disadvantaged areas compensatory allowances scheme. As no area aid application was received from the person named for the year 2001, consequently no disadvantaged areas compensatory allowance scheme payment can be made for the year in question.
220 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Sligo did not receive a 2000 extensification payment; if he will make a decision on this person's appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25860/01]
The person named was paid suckler cow premium for 2000 on a total of 37 animals. A post-payment cross-check revealed that one on the animals listed on the application had been disposed of within the six months' retention period and that he had not notified the Department either of the disposal of the animal or of its replacement. He was requested to clarify the position and if he had replaced the animal, to submit his bovine herd register and the cattle identity card of the replacement for examination. He submitted the cattle identity card of a replacement animal but did not submit the bovine herd register. A reminder to forward the bovine herd register was sent to him on 17 May 2001 but no reply was received. The matter has now been reviewed in the light of the new CMMS database and it has been decided that the suckler cow premium payment for 2000 is in order. The extensification premium for 2000 which was held up pending the receipt of the bovine herd register will be issued shortly.
In mid-January 2001 all registered herdowners were sent EXPR.1 Forms on which they were asked to indicate their wish to participate in 2001 extensification premium. The closing date for receipt of the EXPR.1s was Friday, 16 February 2001. On 12 March 2001 those herdowners who had not returned their EXPR.1s by 16 February 2001 closing date were sent reminder letters requesting them to indicate if they wished to participate in the premium. They were requested to reply within seven days of receipt of the letter. The Department continued to accept EXPR.1 Forms up until 22 May 2001, the final date under EU regulations by which requests to participate in 2001 extensification premium had to be received. The person named did not lodge his EXPR.1 Form until 13 June and it is regretted that it cannot be accepted.
221 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) will receive a cattle headage payment; if the payment will be made immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25862/01]
The 2001 area aid application for the person named has been fully processed and any payments due under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme will issue shortly.
