Vol. 435 No. 6
80 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will submit the results of the evaluation and review carried out by the disadvantaged area appeals panel to the Commission in Brussels so that farmers who are successful in their appeals will receive the higher level of payments which are vitally important for these farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I expect to submit the work of the disadvantaged areas appeals panel in respect of the extension of disadvantaged areas to the EC Commission in the very near future. As I have previously explained to the House, the procedure then is that, if the Commission accepts the submission, a detailed proposal will be made to the EC Council of Agriculture Ministers, which takes the final decision after consultation with the European Parliament. This procedure normally takes up to six months or more.
