Vol. 555 No. 2
177 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will take steps to have a recommendation for a penalty to be applied in respect of persons (details supplied) in relation to having their REP scheme application waived in view of the clear medical evidence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18361/02]
A penalty was imposed in this case when a cross-compliance check by my Department found that all of the lands farmed had not been declared for REPS. The penalty of 50% of the annual payment is as specified in the scheme.
The matter has been appealed to and examined by my Department's REPS appeals committee which decided that the penalty should remain in place. The appeals committee noted that rented land taken by the person named was included in his 2001 area aid application, but not declared for REPS until the matter was queried by the Department. In the circumstances, the committee decided that the penalty had been correctly applied. The decision of the REPS appeals committee represents my Department's final position on any REPS penalty.
