Dan Neville
Question:182 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when area aid will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [24642/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The 2002 area aid application for the person named has been fully processed with an area determined for payment purposes of 55.82 hectares.
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.
The person named submitted one special beef premium application for one animal under the 2002 scheme. An 80% advance payment totalling €120 issued on 16 October 2002, the first date for such payments in accordance with EU regulations.
The person named has one animal eligible under the 2002 slaughter premium scheme and national envelope top up. Advance payment issued on 16 October 2002 in respect of this animal for both of these schemes.