Michael Creed
Ceist:294 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a decision will be made on an appeal made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork against a penalty under the REP scheme. [21289/01]
Written Answers. - REP Scheme.
During an inspection of his farm in December 2000, it was found that the person named had not complied with an undertaking in his REPS plan that gutters and downpipes would be provided on all farm buildings. A penalty of 10% was imposed as a result, this being the specified penalty under the scheme conditions.
An appeal against the imposition of this penalty was lodged with my Department's REPS appeals committee in January last, and following investigation it was considered by the committee in July. The committee decided that the penalty had been correctly applied on the basis that the person named had not complied with a clear requirement of his agri-environmental plan, and he was informed of the outcome on 28 August 2001.
The decision of the REPS appeals committee represents my Department's final position on any REPS penalty.