Vol. 550 No. 2
175 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps he will take to have the suckler and cow subsidy payment for 2001 made to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7870/02]
The person named applied for premium for 40 animals under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. In processing the application for payment it was found that the details on the CMMS database relating to animal tag number XSVC0031A required further clarification. Details registered did not agree with information submitted by the applicant to his local livestock office regarding the movement of the animal. The district livestock office of my Department together with the applicant is endeavouring to have the movement details updated on the CMMS. The application will be processed further when this matter is finalised.
176 Mr. T. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a decision will be made on a late area aid application submitted by persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7873/02]
The herd owner was informed by letter of 30 August 2001 by the area aid unit of my Department that there were not sufficient grounds for accepting a late area aid application in this case. He subsequently appealed this decision but his appeal was not successful and his agricultural advisor was informed of this by letter on 28 September 2001. Since he did not submit a valid area aid application no area linked payments can issue in respect of this herd owner.
Question No. 177 withdrawn.
178 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if farmers will have to join either the REP scheme or the Dúchas plan to get payment in 2003 for ewe premium. [7889/02]
From 2003 onwards, farmers applying with commonage land for the ewe premium scheme will be required to be a participant in the rural environmental protection scheme or the national scheme to be operated by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands or have applied to join one of these schemes.
179 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry was refused a grant under the 2001 suckler cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7966/02]
The person named applied for premium for 26 cows under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. At an on farm inspection it was found that the applicant declared nine animals as cows on the date of application when in fact they were heifers. He was informed that under clause 34 (a) of the terms and conditions of the scheme no payment could be made under this scheme for 2001. The herd owner appealed this decision and submitted veterinary certificates as proof of calving for these animals. The file is currently being reviewed by the district livestock inspector of my Department and the person named will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.
