Michael Creed
Question:231 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a person (details supplied) in County Cork has received his cattle headage payments. [8843/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Advance payment under the slaughter premium scheme 2001 to the amount of €254.40 has issued to the person named on 25 February 2002 in respect of six animals. Balancing payments will commence in April 2002 when the quota position has been established.
The person named submitted one 2001 special beef premium application in respect of a total of two animals. Advance payment totalling €217.60 issued to the person named on 24 October 2001.
The person named was not an applicant under the 2000 cattle headage scheme. The animal-based headage schemes were replaced in 2001 by the area-based compensatory allowance scheme. The new scheme, which was approved by the European Commission, provides that applicants must meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare of the holding in the year preceding application. However, farmers who are unable to meet that minimum stocking density but who traditionally qualified for headage grants in respect of cattle and/or sheep may continue to qualify for payment, provided their land is being utilised and is not in danger of being undergrazed.
According to my Department's records, the stocking density of the holding did not meet the minimum requirement under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme. My Department wrote to the person named on 7 November 2001 with a view to establishing the type of farming activity being pursued. A reply was received with details of the stock on the holding.
As the stocking density was 0.11 livestock units per hectare, the person named would not appear to qualify for payment under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme. A final decision on all outstanding cases will be made soon.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:232 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when suckler cow payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8877/02]
The person named applied on 120 animals under the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme. As he holds 102.7 suckler cow quota rights, his maximum entitlement is limited to his quota. At an inspection carried out on his herd on 14 October 2000, irregularities were found in his application that resulted in payment being due on 98 animals less a penalty of 4.7%. My Department wrote to the person named on 28 February 2002 advising that his application would be processed for payment on 98 animals and that this payment would be subject to a 4.7% reduction penalty. He was given the opportunity to have this decision reviewed by writing to my Department within 21 days. He has now agreed to accept this decision and his application is being processed on that basis.
The person named applied for premium for 103 animals under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. His entitlement was subject to a shortfall penalty of 4.04% and a 7.87% penalty for non-compliance with identification and registration requirements as set out under the terms and conditions governing the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. Payment for €17,713.80 issued on 6 March 2002.