Written Answers Nos. 139-144
139. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of further evidence submitted in support of a review of a single farm payment penalty in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16831/14]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that one of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. As the person named applied for a review of my Department’s decision, a visit by a Department official to verify the position is necessary to resolve the matter. This verification visit will be conducted in the coming weeks and the applicant will be informed of the outcome of the visit as soon as possible.
140. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of boats from Ireland that are currently approved by his Department for the export of livestock to North Africa. [16847/14]
View answerThere are currently two dedicated vessels, the MV Express 1 and the MV Atlantic M, approved for the carriage of livestock by sea from Irish ports to North Africa.
141. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he proposes to amend or replace the Diseases of Animals (Carriage of Cattle by Sea) Orders 1996 and 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16848/14]
View answerI am not currently proposing to amend or replace this legislation. However, some minor technical amendments may be considered during 2014 to take account of developments in international marine legislation and other developments in this area.
142. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the AEO scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16865/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1st May 2013.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks are well under way and I anticipate that payments for AEOS 3 in respect of 2013 will commence shortly.
143. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with a quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16866/14]
View answerThe Milk Quota Trading Scheme was the main mechanism for the transfer of quota between milk producers. The sixteenth and final stage of the Scheme had a closing date of 7 February 2014 and the results were announced on 31 March 2014.
I am informed that while an application to purchase quota was received from the named person, his application could not be considered because it was not in compliance with the conditions of the Scheme. Persons who sell their quota in either of the two previous milk quota years are not eligible to purchase quota under the current Scheme.
Details regarding the outcome of individual applications have been sent to the Co-operatives for issue to its participating suppliers.
144. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 AEO scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reasons for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16867/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1st September 2010 and full payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.
During a 2013 inspection, the person named was found to have non-compliances in respect of the Laying of Hedgerows and Wild Bird Cover actions. A letter issued on the 10th January 2014 notifying the person named of the non-compliances found on inspection and giving a right of appeal to the Regional Inspector of the Department. As my Department has no record of receiving an appeal, the file was processed for payment based on the inspection findings. On preparing the file for payment it became clear that the extent of the breaches is such that the amount owed by the person named exceeds the amount due for 2013 and therefore no payment falls to be made by my Department.
The person named will shortly receive a letter explaining the reductions and penalties applied.
