Vol. 567 No. 5
180 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the special beef premium and slaughter premium for 2002 have not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if all outstanding payments in this case will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14244/03]
The person named submitted eight applications in respect of 364 animals for special beef premium under the 2002 scheme. The 80% advance payment in respect of two hundred and forty one eligible animals on the first six applications has issued. This herd was subsequently randomly selected for a field inspection which has now been finalised. As a result, the 80% advance payment in respect of 119 animals on the last two applications is expected to issue within the next ten days. Four animals have been previously paid the first age premium.
It has not been possible to date to finalise the quota overshoot on the special beef premium for 2002 as my Department is awaiting clarification from the European Commission on the application of the relevant EU Regulations. A decision will be made on the processing of balancing payments in respect of special beef premium as soon as this clarification is received. The person named has been paid in full in respect of 330 animals under the slaughter premium scheme 2002. Some 49 of these animals were heifers under 30 months of age at slaughter and therefore are eligible for the national envelope top-up. Some 80% advance payments have issued in respect of the national envelope slaughter top-up and the 20% balancing payment will issue during June.
