The Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme state that entitlements, which were activated (claimed) by the farmer in 2005, had to be used at least once in every three-year period i.e. 2006, 2007, 2008. "Used" in this context means that in any year one hectare of eligible land must have been declared in respect of each entitlement held. The Regulations further state that any entitlements that remained unused over a three-year period must revert to the National Reserve and are thereby lost to the farmer.
My Department's records show that the person named used his Single Payment entitlements fully in 2005 but as he did not utilise the entitlements in any of the subsequent scheme years — 2006, 2007 and 2008 — the entitlements were lost to the National Reserve. My Department has received an appeal from the person named on the grounds of force majeure. Having examined the circumstances of the case it has been decided to accept the appeal. Therefore, the entitlements will be removed from the National Reserve and will be made available for use by the person named for the 2009 Single Payment Scheme.