Vol. 576 No. 5
181 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason herd owners are being told that they must receive all future payments directly into their bank accounts in view of the fact that many persons do not want this option; and if these persons can continue to be paid the money that is rightfully theirs by way of a cheque through the post. [29649/03]
My Department is currently inviting farmers to avail of its direct credit facility and have all payments due to them forwarded directly into their bank account. This is the preferred payment method in my Department. It is a convenient, secure and quick way to receive payments, and farmers are encouraged to take advantage of this service. When a payment is transferred to the bank account, a remittance note is issued by post to the farmer with confirmation of the payment and details of the transaction. Farmers who choose not to avail of the service are paid by cheque through the post.
182 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo did not receive ewe premium 2003 on all the animals applied for. [29667/03]
Under the terms of an interim national commonage framework plan introduced in October 1998, farmers with commonage land in the six western counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Kerry, who were not then participating in the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, were obliged to reduce their ewe numbers by up to 30% of their existing permanent quota and up to 30% of their permanent quota was frozen pending the completion of detailed commonage framework plans for individual commonages.
The person named held a ewe quota of 170 premium rights in 1998 and under the interim national commonage framework plan, 51 of his quota was frozen pending the outcome of the commonage framework plans proper.
When the commonage framework plans were published in February 2002, the quota position of every farmer with commonage land was reviewed to reflect the actual destocking percentage recommended under those plans. In this case, the recalculation showed that the person named was overstocked by 97 sheep and this would required destocking of a further 46 sheep which would leave him with a quota of 73. He opted to have this calculation further reviewed by a registered planner and this review resulted in a revised destocking figure of 84 which would leave him with a quota of 86, which is 170 less 84, for 2003. The person named agreed to that reduction in March 2003.
The person named applied for the 2003 ewe premium scheme in respect of 170 ewes but the 2003 ewe premium can only be paid up to the level of his existing quota of 86. He was paid the 2003 ewe premium on 86 ewes on 21 October 2003.
183 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a special beef premium on 41 animals will be awarded to persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [29675/03]
184 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a slaughter premium due on 158 animals with 21 animals eligible for a top up premium will be awarded to persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [29676/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.
The old herd number of the person named was deactivated in May 2003 following depopulation. A new herd number was assigned. The person named submitted an application in respect of 41 animals to the special beef premium scheme under the new herd number. This application has now been matched with the area aid application submitted and payment will issue shortly. The person named has slaughtered 158 animals under the 2003 slaughter premium scheme using the old herd number. As 21 of these animals were beef heifers under 30 months, they are also eligible under the national envelope top-up. The person named also submitted one application under the 2003 special beef premium scheme in respect of 13 animals using the old herd number.
Payment of 2003 special beef premium, slaughter premium and national envelope top-up will be made as soon as possible on these animals, under the old herd number, upon completion of all appropriate checks and following inspection.
185 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to the decision of the European Court of Justice confirming ineligibility of Coillte Teoranta to receive forest premia, his views on the ineligibility of Teagasc and his Department farms for the payment of livestock premia, cereal aid and other area based payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29679/03]
The possible implications of the ruling of the European Court of Justice for the schemes administered by my Department are being studied at present.
