Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2005
223 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that due to ongoing medical problems a person (details supplied) had to give up milk production; if the reference year 2002 will be used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15590/05]
View answerThe person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003, submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee.
Following a full examination of the circumstances outlined in the appeal, the independent single payment appeals committee made a recommendation and a letter issued to the persons named on 8 November 2004. The findings of the appeals committee were that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.
The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme national reserve under categories B and C. Category B caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premia and — or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000-02. Category C caters for farmers who sold their milk quota into the milk quota restructuring scheme and converted to a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premia and-or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000-02.
My Department is processing in excess of 16,500 applications already received and the closing date for receipt of completed applications to the national reserve has been extended to 16 May 2005. In view of the number of applications received and the documentation submitted, it will be some time before a decision is reached on whether the person named is entitled to an allocation from the reserve. The person named will be notified of the outcome as soon as all applications are processed. However, it should be noted that an applicant may benefit under only one category that is, whichever one is more beneficial to him or her.
