Ned O'Keeffe
Question:198 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider making full payment of the nine month beef premium to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [11734/03]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The person named submitted three applications under the 2002 special beef premium scheme, as follows: two animals on 16 January 2002, 55 animals on 2 December 2002 and two animals on 24 December 2002. One animal on the second application died during the retention period and has been deleted without penalty.
In accordance with the regulations governing the bovine schemes, no special beef premium is payable in respect of seven animals on the second application that were not registered on the cattle movement monitoring system, CMMS, to the person named at the time of application and a reduction penalty will be applied in respect of the remaining eligible bovine scheme animals qualifying for payment in 2002. Advance payments of special beef premium have issued in respect of 51 animals.
Advance payment of slaughter premium has issued in respect of 47 animals.
The person named sought a review of the decision to apply the reduction penalty. On the basis of the information provided, there were no grounds under EU regulations under which this penalty could be reduced. A letter has issued to the person named advising him of this and informing him of his right to lodge an appeal to the agriculture appeals office.
Balancing payments will be made in respect of all bovine schemes as soon as the special beef premium overshoot position for 2002 is finalised.