Michael Ring
Ceist:333 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive area-based payments for 2001. [2137/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The person named added a number of new plots of land to his 2001 area aid application. These plots are now being entered on the Department's electronic database. When the area aid application has been fully processed and found in order payment due under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme will issue.
Question No. 334 answered with Question No. 323.
Ulick Burke
Ceist:335 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the amount of headage, livestock premia, extensification and arable aid payments made to herd numbers listed to Teagasc and Department of Agriculture farms in 1999, 2000 and 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2153/02]
I have arranged for the information requested by the Deputy to be forwarded directly to him. It should be noted that balancing payments under the 2001 premium schemes have not yet commenced. Payments under the 2001 extensification premium are not due for issue until June 2002.
Ulick Burke
Ceist:336 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if there is a stocking density required for the new area-based compensatory scheme; if so, the reason, given that the scheme is decoupled from production; if there is a stocking density requirement; the way in which it is calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2154/02]
Under the area-based compensatory allowance scheme there is a minimum stocking density level required of 0.15 livestock units equivalent per forage hectare in the calendar year preceding the year of application for compensatory allowances. This is to ensure that the land is being farmed, and to prevent problems of undergrazing and is a requirement laid down by the European Commission. The minimum stocking level will not apply where agri-environment or other recognised environmental measures require a lower stocking density. In addition, farmers who are unable to meet the minimum stocking level but who traditionally qualified for headage grants in respect of cattle and-or sheep may continue to qualify for payment, provided their land is being utilized and is not in danger of undergrazing.
Livestock units, LUs, are calculated as follows:
|
Bovines over 2 years of age |
1 LU |
|
Bovines over 6 months and not more than 2 years old and under |
0.6 LU |
|
Registered Breeding Mares registered in the Irish Horse Register or with the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society |
1 LU |
|
Sheep and Goats |
0.15 LU |
|
Female Breeding Deer |
0.3 LU |