Bernard J. Durkan
Question:70 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which appeals against decisions on various agricultural support payments are likely to be favourably treated in the future. [24522/04]
View answerWednesday, 13 October 2004
Questions (69)
Written answers
The Agriculture Appeals Office was established in 2002 to provide a statutory appeals service to farmers who are dissatisfied with my Department's decisions on their entitlements under certain schemes.
The office is governed by the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 and the Agriculture Appeals Regulations 2002. Appeals officers are independent in the performance of their functions. Their decisions must have regard to the principles of natural justice and comply with any relevant legislation and terms, conditions and guidelines governing or relating to the scheme in question.
In 2003 the appeals office received 1,143 cases; 38% of these were either allowed, partially allowed or revised by the Department, 7% were withdrawn, not valid or out of time and 55% were disallowed.