Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:274 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a payment of a 2000 extensification premium will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork whose appeal was determined in his favour. [15816/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The herdowner lodged an appeal in relation to 2000 extensification premium. The appeal was fully examined and the herdowner was informed on 30 August 2002 that his appeal was unsuccessful.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:275 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will introduce a targeted feed purchase aid scheme to assist farmers hit severely by the poor weather conditions during the past few months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15867/02]
Michael Ring
Ceist:277 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will introduce a targeted feed purchase aid scheme for farmers. [15870/02]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:316 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will introduce a viability aid package for the worst affected farms due to the poor weather conditions this summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16192/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 277 and 316 together.
I have taken a series of weather related initiatives in support of farmers. These include the following: I obtained a derogation from the EU Commission to allow set-aside land to be used for animal feed purposes on farms where 33% or more of the land has been flooded; I arranged for Teagasc to provide an intensive advisory service, both general and one to one; in co-operation with my colleague the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, I arranged that the farm assist scheme take account of the situation faced by farmers; I obtained EU Commission approval to bring forward the payment of 50% of arable aid due to cereal farmers to 16 October; and I obtained an increase in the rate of advance payments made on cattle premia from 60% to 80% with effect from 16 October.
I have also put great emphasis on improving market supports. Over the summer period I succeeded in strengthening the market supports system within the milk sector aimed at addressing the market weakness which prevailed at the time. Furthermore, I recently announced a substantial improvement in the beef export refund rate for Egypt, aimed at the specific requirements for that market. In this context I have no plans to introduce a national aid scheme.