Vol. 513 No. 1
273 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has been successful in negotiations with the EU Commission in ensuring that farmers in 2000, using the simplified system of applications for premia and extensification, will not suffer a penalty if their livestock number exceeds their application norms due to disease breakdown in their herds. [1419/00]
The EU regulations do not provide for exceptions being made for farmers who, because of restrictions on movement of animals imposed under the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes, exceed their normal stocking densities and as a result lose extensification premium. This problem can arise for farmers who opt for the census system for extensification as well as for those farmers who opt for the simplified system. My Department is considering whether a solution to the whole problem in regard to extensification premium caused by TB and brucellosis restrictions can be found.
