Vol. 546 No. 5
105 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a 2001 suckler cow premium payment; if payment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31405/01]
The person named applied for premium for 12 cows under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. In 2000 his herd was selected for inspection and non-compliance with identification and registration requirements was found. The herdowner was informed that his herd would be inspected again within 24 months. At this second inspection it was found that the person named did not have 12 cows, as applied on for 2001, but had eight cows and four heifers. As he had not used his 20% heifer facility, two of the heifers were accepted and the other two were rejected as ineligible. In calculating the penalty in this case, the fact that the person named had only quota for nine cows was overlooked. This error has been corrected and the applicant has been notified accordingly. Payment will issue as soon as possible for nine animals subject to an identification and registration penalty of 6.25% because one animal on the farm was found tagged but not recorded on the herd register. My Department contacted the person named on 16 November 2001 regarding this matter.
