Vol. 543 No. 2
235 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the situation regarding a 2001 area aid grant to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason his lands have been classified as mountain; if these lands were inspected prior to the classification; and if this person will be entitled to compensation on this matter. [26079/01]
In 1997, a review of mountain type grazing lands for sheep headage purposes in the more severely handicapped areas and the less severely handicapped areas was carried out by my Department. All land classified as mountain type grazing was subsequently identified as such on the land parcel identification system. This designation as mountain type grazing suited most farmers, especially those engaged in sheep production, allowing them to be paid headage grants on mountain type ewes. However, in designating the areas concerned on the land parcel identification system regard had to be had to certain natural boundaries such as rivers and roads and it was not possible to exclude certain farms where sheep production did not take place.
The new area-based compensatory allowance scheme agreed in July 2000 and approved by the European Commission in the context of the CAP rural development plan provides for area related payments as follows: more severely handicapped – lowland, £70 per hectare up to 45 hectares; less severely handicapped – lowland, £60 per hectare up to 45 hectares; and mountain type land £45 per hectare up to 60 hectares.
The person named was paid £1,728 on 24 September 2001 in respect of 14.4 hectares of mountain type land at £45 per hectare and including an additional sum of £1,080 under a compensation package agreed with the European Commission for farmers experiencing losses under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme. The additional sum is equal to 90% of the difference between the average sum of the headage payments under the 1998, 1999 and 2000 headage schemes and the amount paid under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme.
Following a thorough review of the area-based compensatory allowance scheme, proposals have now been submitted to the European Commission for increased payment rates for farmers with mountain-type land. The proposal involves making a payment of £80 per hectare on the first ten hectares of mountain-type land with a payment of £70 per hectare on each remaining hectare subject to an overall payment ceiling of 45 hectares. Subject to securing the necessary EU approval it is intended that the revised payment rates will take effect in the current year.
236 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon was refused additional suckler cow quota even though he only has quota for eight cows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26154/01]
The person named applied for an allocation of suckler cow quota from the 2002 national reserve under category D. This category was reserved for farmers who apply regularly for the suckler cow premium and who require additional quota to ensure the future viability of their holdings.
237 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will expedite a control of farmyard pollution grant inspection for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26155/01]
An application under the scheme of investment aid for farm waste management was received from the person named in the local FDS office of my Department on 12 October 2001. The application has been processed and a preapproval farm inspection will be carried out in the near future.
Under the protocol on direct payments to farmers my Department has set a deadline for issuing within three months of receipt of a valid application an approval to commence investment works under this scheme.
238 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when ten month and 20 month premia payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26205/01]
The person named submitted two applications for the 2001 special beef premium scheme, the first in January for six animals, and the second in October 2001 for three animals.
In line with EU regulatory provisions, advance payments in respect of the January-July 2001 special beef premium payments have commenced and the person named will be paid within the next two weeks. Payment in respect of the October application will issue when the two month retention period has expired, subject to compliance with the scheme requirements.
239 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick did not receive an area aid application form. [26206/01]
Pre-printed area aid application forms are issued by my Department as a service to farmers who submitted an area aid application in the previous year. The person named did not submit an area aid application in 2000 and therefore did not receive a pre-printed application form in 2001.
Application forms were available from my Department's area aid unit, all Department local offices and also Teagasc offices. A media campaign both at national and local level reminded farmers of the requirement to lodge a completed area aid application form in order to qualify for aid under the various EU schemes.
240 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a suckler premium payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26207/01]
The person named has been paid his 80% entitlement, amounting to £7,273.56, under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. Payment issued on 26 October 2001.
