Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:117 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if all headage and other premia payments have been made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5228/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
To date, almost €757 million has been paid to farmers under the various 2001 livestock premia, compensatory allowances and arable aid schemes. Payments under the new area-based compensatory allowance scheme commenced on 21 September 2001, and in excess of €214 million has been paid out to applicants, 96% of whom were successful.
In normal circumstances, payments under the 2001 ewe premium scheme would issue within the targets agreed in the protocol. However, due to the discrepancies which were highlighted during the cull of sheep in the Cooley peninsula, and because inspections could not be carried out during the FMD crisis, further enhanced controls agreed with the European Commission had to be applied before payments could commence. As a result, payment of the first instalment was delayed and did not commence until 17 July 2001. Payment of the second instalment commenced on target, on 19 October 2001, and a total of €48.6 million has been paid to 96% of all applicants under this scheme. Payment of the third and final instalment will commence as soon as the EU regulation setting the rate is published. It is anticipated that the regulation will be published shortly and that payments will commence during this month.
The position on the 2001 arable aid scheme is that payments commenced in accordance with EU rules, on 16 November 2001, and in excess of €128m has now been paid to applicants, 98% of whom were successful.
Under the protocol, advance payments of 60% under the 2001 cattle premium schemes were due to commence on 16 October 2001. However, following strong representations from Ireland, the European Commission agreed to increase the advance payment to 80% of entitlement for 2001. Payments under these schemes commenced on 26 October 2001, the day the EU regulation giving effect to the increased payment was published.
To date, 94% of January to October applicants under the 2001 special beef premium scheme have been paid advances totalling €119 million. Advance payments in respect of November and December applications will be made in late February and late March respectively, in line with the protocol commitments. Balancing payments are scheduled to commence in April, when all checks with regard to stocking density requirements are carried out.
The position on the slaughter premium scheme, including national envelope, is that over €58 million has been paid to 93% of applicants in respect of January to September slaughterings. Payments in respect of October to December slaughterings are expected to be made in the next two weeks. Balancing payments under this scheme will commence as soon as the quota usage for 2001 is established, which is in line with protocol commitments.
To date 93% of all applicants under the suckler cow premium scheme have been paid 80% advances amounting to over €153 million. Payment of the 20% balances commenced on target on 31 January 2002, and over €37 million has been paid to date. This brings the overall total paid so far under this scheme to €190.5 million. My Department is making every effort, through contact with individual herdowners, to have all outstanding cases under the suckler cow premium scheme cleared for payment. In this respect, it is most important that farmers respond promptly to any queries. Indications are that, in many cases, my Department is not getting a response to its initial query, necessitating the issue of second and sometimes third reminders. When outstanding queries in relation to a case are resolved, the farmer can expect to receive payment within the following week.
Full payments under the 2001 extensification premium scheme will be made in June 2002, as agreed in the Protocol on Direct Payments to Farmers.
Payments under livestock premia schemes are continuing over the coming months with a view to having all eligible cases paid by 30 June 2002, in accordance with the protocol and EU rules.