Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

153 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason an extensification grant was not paid for 2003 to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19161/03]

The person named participated in 2002 extensification premium, opting for the census system for the purposes of determining eligibility. The stocking density of the holding calculated on the basis of the numbers of bovine animals declared by the person named at the five census dates was 1.8014 livestock units per hectare. A cross-check against the CMMS animal database was also carried out and the same stocking density was arrived at. Under EU regulations, 2002 extensification premium may only be paid where the stocking density of a holding does not exceed 1.80 livestock units per hectare. As the stocking density in this case exceeds this limit he is not eligible for any extensification premium for 2002.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

154 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the penalties being applied to a person (details supplied) in County Galway with regard to an on-farm inspection on their herd, concerning suckler cow grant and other payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19162/03]

The person named had two animals which satisfied the retention requirements for payment of slaughter premium under the 2002 slaughter premium scheme. The person named was selected for an on-farm producer inspection and it was established during the inspection that two unclaimed animals, out of a total of 33 animals on the holding, were non-compliant with identification and registration requirements. This resulted in a reduction penalty of 6.5% on all eligible animals applied on under the suckler cow and slaughter premium schemes by the person named in 2002. A payment of €149.60, has issued in respect of the two animals under the slaughter premium scheme 2002, which reflects the 6.5% reduction penalty.

The person named applied for premium on 16 animals under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme. An 80% advance payment for €2,869.12 issued on 11 December 2002 and a balancing payment of €484.17 was made on 30 April 2003. These represent payment on the 16 animals, less the aforementioned reduction penalty of 6.5% incurred due to non-compliance with identification and registration requirements.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

155 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the 20% of the 2002 suckler cow grant has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if there is a penalty, the nature thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19163/03]

The person named applied for premium on 17 animals under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme. An advance payment of €3,048.44 issued on 9 December 2002. However, at an inspection of the herd on 9 August 2002, it was found that one unclaimed animal in the herd was not compliant with the identification and registration requirements as set out in clauses 37 and 38 of the terms and conditions of the scheme, resulting in a penalty. The application was processed for balancing payment on 17 animals, less a 2.52% identification and registration penalty. Payment amounting to €666.09 issued to the person named on 26 June 2003.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

156 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will examine a scenario (details supplied); if positive, the status of these entitlements after completion of the term of the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19165/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh): The mid term review of the CAP agreement provides that a decoupled payment, known as a single payment entitlement, can be established for a farmer who has been granted direct payments during the reference period. However, to activate those entitlements, the farmer for whom they were established must be actively farming and apply for the single payment by 15 May of the year in which the new system is to be introduced. Implementation of decoupling can commence on 1 January 2005 but, at the latest, on 1 January 2007. The agreement also provides that a single payment entitlement can be established for a farmer who has received a holding by way of inheritance from a farmer who was granted direct payments during the reference period. There is no provision, currently, for granting a single payment entitlement to a person who has leased a holding from his father in 2003. While the legal text has not yet been finalised, there is provisional agreement for a person who has received a holding by way of lease not later than 31 May 2003 to apply to the national reserve for a single payment entitlement.
Top
Share