Michael Ring
Ceist:192 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department will issue payment to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in respect of BSE compensation. [18592/98]
Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.
The regulations governing payment of the 1996 BSE compensation package (which was paid out in October 1996) provided for payment of top-ups in respect of animals which qualified for payment under the 1995 EU suckler cow premium scheme and 1995 EU special beef premium scheme. The regulations also provided for adjustments, upwards and downwards, later on to take account of the number of animals qualifying for payment under the 1996 EU suckler cow premium scheme and the 1996 EU special beef premium scheme. Money had to be recouped from those farmers who had fewer animals qualifying under the 1996 schemes. The money so recouped is then to be used to make payments to those farmers who had more eligible animals under the 1996 schemes.
The person named had 12 more eligible animals under the 1996 special beef premium scheme and 15 additional cows qualifying under the 1996 suckler cow premium scheme. He is therefore entitled to BSE top-up payment on these animals. Payment will be made within the next two weeks.