Michael Ring
Ceist:127 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive cattle headage and suckler cow premium for 2000. [2929/01]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
One of the parcels claimed by the person named in his 2000 area aid application overlaps with a parcel of land claimed by another applicant. Both herdowners were written to with a view to resolving the problem. Both herdowners have now responded, with both claiming the right to the overlapping parcel. Consequently both herdowners have again been contacted and asked to forward legal proof of their entitlement to claim on this land. Until a response is received this matter cannot be resolved.
In addition an over-claim has been identified on one of the land parcels claimed by the person named in 2000. Maps have issued to him with a view to resolving this difficulty. No payments can issue until these matters have been resolved.
Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:128 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the grants available or to be introduced to encourage farmers to produce organic vegetables; and his Department's policy on the development of the organic industry here. [2950/01]
Organic farmers participating in the rural environment protection scheme – REPS – can avail of substantial additional payments under one of the supplementary measures in the scheme. The purpose of this supplementary measure is to encourage producers in REPS to respond to the market demand for organically produced food. The payments available are as follows: holdings greater than three hectares and up to 40 hectares – in conversion, 181 per hectare; full organic status, 91 per hectare; holdings less than three hectares – in conversion, 242 per hectare; full organic status, 121 per hectare.
Accordingly, an organic farmer can receive up to £5,702 a year, on top of his or her basic REPS payment of up to £4,757, while a holding is in conversion to full organic status, and up to £2,867 extra in full organic status. Some £17 million has been paid to organic farmers under a similar supplementary measure of the previous REP scheme and I am hopeful that payments under the new scheme, which commenced on 27 November last, will considerably surpass that level as increasing numbers of farmers become aware of the opportunities offered by the expansion of the market for organic produce.
Under the national development plan, £6 million has been allocated for the development of the organic sector under the regional programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the south and east region. This funding will be used towards the development of the organic sector by providing grant assistance for both on-farm and off-farm investment in equipment and facilities for preparation, grading, packing, storage and distribution of organic produce. I expect that details of grants available under the regional operational programmes will be available shortly.
The AgriFood 2010 Committee recommended that an organic development committee be established to draw up a coherent strategy for the development of the organic sector. I accepted that recommendation and I gave the committee the following terms of reference:
To recommend a coherent development strategy to achieve expansion in production, processing and marketing of Irish organic produce and to secure an increased share of the growing national and export markets; and to consider the broad actions necessary for the most advantageous long-term future development of the Irish organic sector while protecting its integrity.
The full Organic Development Committee met in November 2000 and again in January. Three sub-groups are also considering a number of specific issues. Interested parties who are not represented on the committee have been invited to make submissions to it, so to ensure that its deliberations can have regard to as wide a range of views as possible. I have asked the Organic Development Committee to make its report by April 2001.
Dan Neville
Ceist:129 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a slaughter premium payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [2958/01]
Payment will issue to the person named in the next fortnight for 52 animals found eligible for the slaughter premium for the period January to October 2000. Should the person named have any eligible animals which were slaughtered-exported in the period November-December 2000 payment will issue later this month.
Liam Aylward
Ceist:130 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress to date on the application to the milk quota appeals tribunal by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow for additional milk quota under the hardship scheme. [3044/01]
The Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal considered an application for additional quota from the person in question at its meeting on 30 January 2001 and an allocation was recommended. The person named has been notified of the outcome of his application.
Michael Ring
Ceist:131 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the amount the Western Development Commission has paid out to each consultant and each adviser engaged in evaluating applications for assistance; the name of each person involved in the Western Development Commission who received travelling expenses in 2000, and the amount paid to each of these persons. [3053/01]
The Western Development Commission was established under the Western Development Act, 1998, to foster and encourage economic and social development in the western region. The information sought by the Deputy refers to ongoing operational matters for the commission in which I have no direct function.
Michael Ring
Ceist:132 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the county, location and grant amounts of each project which received grant aid from the Western Development Commission to date; the further number of applications for assistance which were received in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3054/01]
A total of £25 million is being provided by my Department for the western investment fund over the period up to 2006. Under section 20 of the Western Development Commission Act, 1998, the commission is given statutory responsibility for management and control of the fund and under section 8 of that Act is given responsibility for selection of projects for assistance. I have no role in the selection of projects.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:133 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a headage grant payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3055/01]
The person named will be paid his entitlements under the 2000 cattle headage scheme and the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme within the next seven days.