asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if cattle sales dockets will be accepted for payment purposes for beef premiums and calf premiums as well as for headage payments under the disadvantaged areas schemes; if not, the reason, as it will cause great confusion if all three schemes are not treated similarly.
Written Answers. - Cattle Sales Dockets.
68.
Under the EC calf premium and EC special beef premium schemes certain essential control procedures must be carried out to avoid the possibility of double payment of premium and to satisfy the requirements of the European Community. One of these essential controls is the earpunching following inspection of each animal presented for premium. Mart or meat factory sales dockets cannot, therefore, be accepted in the case of these two schemes.
Under the EC suckler cow premium scheme suckler cows sold during the six months period after date of application are not eligible for payment. Furthermore, such animals must be inspected a second time to ensure they have been retained for the required six months period. The operation of the sales docket concession in such circumstances would not be practicable or possible.
There was no confusion in past years when the concession on use of sales dockets applied to the disadvantaged areas schemes but not to the EC calf premium and EC suckler cow premium schemes.