Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:37 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to eliminate excessive penalties for administrative errors by farmers in subsidy applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20687/02]
Written Answers. - Subsidy Applications.
I raised the question of the simplification of the EU penalty regime at a Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in October 2000. An EU working group was subsequently established to examine appropriate changes to the control requirements under the various schemes with a view to ensuring a greater degree of simplification and proportionality. The examination concluded in November last year and a new regulation, published in December 2001, took effect from 1 January this year.
I propose to mention the main changes that have been introduced. A farm based approach to bovine livestock inspections has led to a reduction of over 50% in the number of on-farm inspections. Reduced penalties have been introduced for the late lodgement of area aid applications involving permanent pasture. Producers may lodge applications up to 1 July each year with a 50% reduction in penalties. There are no penalties for the over-declaration of a forage area where there is sufficient area to support the stocking density for the livestock schemes concerned. Farmers who omit to include land parcels on their original area aid applications can add the parcels to their applications until 31 May each year. Obvious errors on applications can be corrected without a penalty. Non-compliance with passports or the bovine herd register is not penalised unless the problem is identified twice in a 24 month period. The concept of a false declaration through serious negligence has been abolished. A fairer approach to adjusting payment has been introduced where there is non-compliance.
I am satisfied that the changes introduced this year will be of considerable benefit to Irish farmers and I will continue to keep the arrangements under review.