Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

176 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if farmers affected by the landslide in Pollathomas, Dooncartin, Barnacullew, Cornhill and parts of surrounding villages of north Mayo, particularly those in REP schemes, will continue to be paid for 2003 and the next number of years on the basis that this was a natural disaster, not of their making; if no penalties of any sort will be imposed on these farmers for the next number of years; and if, where stock has been lost, those farmers will be paid on the schemes they have applied for or schemes they will be entitled to draw down. [23967/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My officials will take into account the effects of the landslide in County Mayo when carrying out farm inspections for the REP scheme. Sympathetic cognisance will be taken of the disruption caused to farming activities by the unfortunate occurrence and the impact it has had on the ability of the farmer to comply with the specific REPS measures. For the on-farm investment and installation aid schemes, cases such as those referred to by the Deputy would be examined by my Department on an individual basis within the context of relevant force majeure provisions.

Under EU regulations governing the livestock premium schemes, a farmer may be excused from the requirement to retain animals for the retention period if failure to retain such animals arose from circumstances outside of the farmer's control. Farmers are obliged to notify my Department of any such circumstances within ten days of any loss being incurred. No such notifications have been received in my Department's local office. The Department is not yet aware of any farmer affected by the landslide who is currently restricted under the TB or brucellosis eradication schemes. Any farmer who has such concerns is advised to contact his or her district veterinary office.