Tom Fleming
Question:373. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 911 of 5 November, 2013, if he will intervene and investigate the high level of penalties being imposed on farmers in respect of single farm payments and disadvantaged area scheme payments in regards to scrub land and land with rushes; if he will take into consideration the fact that farmers have experienced the most difficult period in their farming lives as a result of the fodder crisis, many of whom will be in debt for years to come, the fact that farmers' incomes have dropped significantly in recent years and now are being hit with hefty penalties, the fact that prior to this summer, animals had to be housed and fed indoors for the longest period in farming records due to appalling weather conditions, the huge outlay by farmers who had to buy in fodder, the fact that animals had to be kept indoors for prolonged periods as land could not be travelled due to exceptionally wet ground conditions; if he will provide details of the total number of farmers penalised this year to date throughout the country on a county basis; the total loss in income to these farmers on a county basis; if he will provide specific figures for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48203/13]
View answer