Vol. 558 No. 4
169 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be immediately awarded area aid and disadvantaged area aid payments, as same have not been made to date; the reason there has been such a delay in making these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24292/02]
The animal-based headage schemes were replaced in 2001 by the area-based compensatory allowance scheme. This 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 undergrazing. The person named was not a headage recipient in 2000, and according to my Department's records, the stocking density of the holding does not meet the minimum requirement.
My Department has now written to the person named with a view to establishing the type of farming activity being pursued. A decision on entitlement to 2002 area-based compensatory allowance will be made on receipt of reply.
One animal, which was slaughtered on 9 July 2002 was found to be eligible under the 2002 slaughter premium scheme. Advance payment of €64 issued on 16 October in respect of this animal. Two further animals were slaughtered on 23 October 2002 for the person named. One of these animals is deemed eligible under the slaughter scheme and advance payment will issue in the coming weeks. A query has arisen in relation to the cattle movement monitoring system record of the second animal and a letter will issue to the person named in this regard as soon as possible.
170 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will ensure that the REP scheme payment to a person (details supplied) is immediately released; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24326/02]
The facilities that the person named was required to provide in accordance with his agri-environmental plan require further inspection in connection with a planning issue raised by the local authority. This inspection will be done without delay and the person named will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
