Vol. 510 No. 3
172 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason, despite the detailed submission, a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath was unable to use a ewe premium quota in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22439/99]
The person named applied for the 1999 ewe premium scheme in respect of 68 ewes.
His flock was inspected on 4 March 1999 but only 14 of his own sheep were found on his holding. He admitted that a further 54 sheep he presented at inspection did not belong to him.
As a result of this, he was debarred from participating in the ewe premium scheme for two years, 1999 and 2000, and his ewe premium quota is reduced from 66 to the number of eligible ewes actually found during the inspection, that is, 14.
He has appealed these decisions to the independent appeals unit who will adjudicate on the matter.
