In order to comply with EU requirements, the 2013 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. The inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of greater than 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of the scheme this resulted in no payment being due under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments.
The person named was notified of this decision on 2 January 2014. The person named sought a review of this decision and the outcome was to uphold the original inspection decision. The person named was notified of this outcome on 20 November 2014. The person named submitted an appeal to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office and an oral hearing was held. The outcome of the appeal process was to allow the appeal and the person named was notified of this decision by the Agriculture Appeals Office on 3 March 2016.
My Department is currently examining this appeal decision and will be seeking clarification on some aspects of the decision from the Agriculture Appeals Office. This clarification on detailed points is needed before any payment can be made. The person named will be notified when this examination is completed and any payments due will be processed as soon as possible thereafter.