Vol. 557 No. 6
95 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the stocking density a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can hold; and the reason this person will be penalised on the entire herd if they exceed the stocking density, rather than on just the amount of animals exceeded. [23145/02]
Unless the person named wishes to participate in schemes for which there are specific stocking density limits, there is no obligation on him to observe any stocking density limit. He must, however, comply with legislation intended to protect the environment, prevent pollution and must observe animal welfare legislation.
The person named submitted five applications in respect of a total of 42 animals under the 2002 special beef premium. On 16 October 2002, 80% advance payment issued on the herdowner's first three applications in respect of 22 animals. The remaining two applications submitted in October in respect of 20 animals have been processed to payment stage by the special beef premium unit. Payment in respect of these animals will issue following the completion of the two month retention period, subject to compliance with scheme requirements. If the Deputy gives more specific information in relation to any problems in regard to stocking density in the case of the person named, I will have the matter investigated.
The area aid application of the person named indicates that the total forage area for premia payment purposes is 24.67 hectares. This allows for payment up to 46.87 livestock units – that is, 1.9 livestock units of premium per hectare. To date, under the special beef premium scheme, the herd owner has utilised 25.20 livestock units and is, therefore, well within the permitted stocking density limits for bovine premia schemes.
In relation to 2002 extensification premium, the person named opted to participate under the census system. Based on the same 24.67 hectares forage area, if the stocking density is verified as being up to but not exceeding 1.80 livestock units per hectare, he should qualify for payment of 2002 extensification premium provided, of course, that he complies with all of the requirements necessary to secure premium.
The person named qualified for a payment of €2192.67 under the 2002 area-based compensatory allowance scheme. However, a recoupment of €136 was outstanding under the 2001 special beef premium scheme, in respect of a female bovine, tag number 27131556004, applied on under that scheme on 24 December 2001, resulting in an overpayment of €136. The person named informed my Department of his error, and the animal was deleted from his application. The overpayment was withheld from his 2002 area-based compensatory allowance grant and a net payment of €2056.67 issued to him on 23 September 2002.
