asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of farmers in County Cavan have been refused headage payments on all their cattle because on reinspection in November and December 1987 it was found that calf-cows had been sold off; whether it is a good farm practice to sell off old cows before the winter months especially in suckler herds on small farms where fodder is generally scarce and of low quality; whether the witholding of these pay ments under the circumstances causes severe hardship for the families concerned; if he will have these payments payed immediately; if he will ensure that inspections and reinspections are carried out earlier in the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Suckler Cow Scheme.
I presume the question relates to the EC suckler cow scheme. Under the scheme applicants are required to give an undertaking to keep on their holdings for a period of six months from the dates of lodgment of their applications, numbers of suckler cows or replacement in-calf heifers not less than the numbers for which premiums are granted.
Applicants who are found to have less cows or replacement in-calf heifers at a second inspection than they had at their first inspection and who have not notified the Department of the drop in numbers automatically lose entitlement to all premiums. Applicants who notify my Department of a drop in numbers must satisfy the Department that the drop is due to natural circumstances affecting the herd or to force majeure before any payment is made. The Deputy will appreciate that this is an EC funded scheme and I have no discretion in relation to the relevant EC regulations. The EC attitude to those who fail to maintain the required number of cows and fail to notify the Department of the reduction is that they are not entitled to any grants. I regard it as good practice to sell off old cows before the winter especially in suckler herds on small farms where fodder may be scarce and of low quality. It is not good practice, however, to give undertakings to keep such cows for six months and to use them for breeding calves when a person has no intention of doing so and stands to lose premiums on all cows if discovered. I cannot arrange to have EC Regulations amended to cater for such practices.