Dan Neville
Ceist:98 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when extensification premium will be paid for 2000 to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [14436/01]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Under the protocol on direct payments to farmers, as agreed with the farming bodies, my Department is committed to paying the 2000 extensification premium in June 2001. However, in view of the current difficulties being experienced by farmers, it is hoped to commence extensification premium payments within the next two weeks.
In line with EU rules and Charter commitments, it is anticipated that payments will be completed in all eligible cases by 30 June 2001. When payments commence, the person named will be paid without delay provided he meets the criteria for eligibility.
99.Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received headage for 2000. [14437/01]
As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 22 March 2001, the 2000 area aid application for the person named was selected for inspection in accordance with EU regulations. The final result of this inspection which involved two visits to the holding is that the person named claimed a total of 8.12 hectares on his 2000 area aid application. Following processing of his application an area of 6.51 hectares was determined. This represents a difference of 1.61 hectares or 24.70% between the area claimed and that determined.
Under Article 9 of EU Regulation 3887/92, when the difference is over 20%, a 100% penalty must be applied. Therefore in this case as the overclaim is greater than 20%, no area aid related payments can issue in respect of 2000.