Paul Connaughton
Question:254 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the single payment entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2706/05]
View answerTuesday, 1 February 2005
Questions (252, 253)
Written answers
A statement of provisional entitlements will issue shortly to the person named following the processing of his single payment force majeure application.
Following examination of the exceptional circumstances outlined, my Department has decided that the reference years 2000, 2001 and 2002 will be excluded from the calculation of the single payment entitlements for the person named and the entitlements will be based on the reference years 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Paul Connaughton
Question:255 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the penalty which will be imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the level of penalty which will apply across all their payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2707/05]
View answerThe person named applied for premium on 25 animals under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme on 3 June 2004. Payment of his 60% advance entitlement amounting to €3,362.25 issued on 16 October 2004.
At inspection on 16 November 2004 it was found that one animal applied on as a heifer and bearing tag No. 181903970141 was in fact a male animal. The herdowner was informed that this animal was to be rejected from his claim and that a penalty would be applied in accordance with paragraphs 39 and 40(a) of the terms and conditions of the scheme. The person named sought a review of this decision and has since been informed that following a re-examination of his case the penalty still remains.
As all administrative and on-farm checks are carried out on an integrated, holding based approach and as processing of final applications under the special beef premium scheme is still in progress, it is not possible at this stage to calculate the exact level of penalty that will apply to the payments due to the person named. However, based on his applications up to December it is anticipated that the penalty will not exceed 2% to 3%. The person named has been informed that he may appeal the penalty by contacting the agriculture appeals office.