Vol. 549 No. 3
169 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the concessions he is prepared to give to farmers who purchase or inherit land which does not qualify for eligibility status in respect of the area aid scheme and who wish to have this land deemed eligible. [6854/02]
The EU arable aid scheme provides for payments for arable crops grown on eligible land and for eligible land which is set aside. Eligible land is land which, on 31 December 1991, was not under permanent pasture, was not under permanent crops or trees, or was not used for non-agricultural purposes. Permanent pasture is land used for grass production for five years or more at 31 December 1991. Permanent crops are crops that occupied the land for five years or more at 31 December 1991, for example, orchards. There is no provision in the EU regulations for any easing of this requirement in the case of ineligible land either purchased or inherited.
170 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason for the delay in issuing payments to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in respect of suckler premium and cattle headage; and when payment will issue. [6864/02]
The person named included a land parcel on her 2001 area aid application on which there was an overlap with the parcel of another herd owner. My Department wrote to both herd owners and on the basis of replies received has found in favour of the person named. The land parcel concerned is being entered on the Department's electronic database in favour of the person named and any outstanding area linked payments will issue as soon as possible.
171 Mr. T. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when payment of ten month and 22 month grants under the special beef premium scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary [6876/02]
The person named submitted seven applications for 2001 special beef premium in respect of 107 animals. After the producer submitted the first and second application the herd was depopulated due to a BSE disease outbreak on the farm. In cases where the producer has been BSE depopulated, a new herd number issues. A further five applications were submitted under the new herd number.
The person named submitted his area aid application under the old herd number declaring a total forage area of 70.34 hectares for livestock premium purposes. This allows for premium payments up to 140.68 livestock units. The producer's milk quota of 75,079 gallons utilises 85.70 livestock units, leaving a total of 54.98 livestock units for special beef premium. This entitles the person named to payment in respect of 91.63 animals – 91.63 X 0.6lu.
Advance payment has issued in respect of seven animals. Payment will issue in respect of the remaining 84.63 animals in early March. The person concerned is not eligible for payment on the 15.37 animals applied for in excess of the permitted stocking density rate. However, in accordance with the scheme's terms and conditions, these animals are deemed to have been paid under the age category applied for.
172 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make a REP scheme payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [6877/02]
The person concerned lodged an agri-environmental plan and application for REPS on 19 December 2001. It is now being processed in accordance with the targets set out in the protocol on direct payments to farmers.
173 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make a REP scheme payment to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [6878/02]
The person concerned lodged an agri-environmental plan and application for REPS on 19 December 2001. It is now being processed in accordance with the tar gets set out in the protocol on direct payments to farmers.
174 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make a REP scheme payment to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [6879/02]
The person named had his participation in REPS terminated because he failed to present land ownership documentation as requested. My Department was also obliged to ask him to refund the payments he had already received. He was informed of the position by letter dated 1 November 2001.
