Michael Ring
Ceist:104 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the 40 per cent balance payment of the 1997 special beef premium due to applicants can be paid out immediately in view of the low prices of beef. [3720/98]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The position is that balancing payments under the 1997 special beef premium cannot commence until such time as a definitive position as regards our national quota usage has been determined. Quota usage is determined by the overall number of animals ultimately deemed eligible for the ten months premium and the bull premium. While the overall number of animals applied on will become clear over the next week or so when all the December 1997 applications have been recorded, the eligibility of those animals will not be known until all applications have been fully processed for payment. Any overshoot of the national quota will have to be reflected in balancing payments made to farmers on foot of 1997 special beef premium applications. It is unlikely, therefore, that balancing payments can commence before April next. Payments will be completed by the end of June in line with EU requirements.
Balancing payments under the 1997 suckler cow scheme will commence later this week.