Vol. 574 No. 1
216 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the full suckler cow pre mium 2003 will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason ?2,869.12 was awarded on 29 October 2003 instead of the full amount due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26164/03]
The person named applied for premium for 30 cows and five heifers under the 2003 suckler cow premium scheme on 31 July 2003. The late application was accepted under force majeure circumstances. While processing the claim for payment it was found that three animals declared as heifers were, in fact, cows and had calved before the closing date of 27 June 2003.
Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, a producer who has applied on 14 animals or more must continue to own, possess, hold and maintain on his holding during the six months retention period a number of suckler cows at least equal to 60% and at most equal to 85% and a number of heifers at least equal to 15% and at most equal to 40% of the total number of animals for which premium was requested.
The herd owner has been informed that in order to comply with the 15% heifer requirement the maximum number of cows that could be accepted for payment with two eligible heifers is 14. Payment of the 80% advance instalment amounting to €2869.12 issued on 29 October 2003. This represented payment for 14 cows and two heifers.
217 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary was only awarded part of their subsidies; and when the remainder of their premiums will be awarded under the suckler cow scheme. [26186/03]
The person named included a land parcel on his 2003 area aid application that was also being claimed on another herd owner's application. The area aid unit contacted both herd owners to clarify the matter. The person named replied and confirmed that he did not have entitlement to claim the parcel involved. His application was fully processed with an area overclaim of 13.81 hectares or 41.32% having been determined by my Department. The appropriate penalty, as a result of the area aid over-declaration was 100% since the difference between the area declared and the area determined exceeds 20%. Therefore, in accordance with EU regulations, no payment is due to the person named under the 2003 area based compensatory allowance scheme.
The person named had six animals eligible to him under the 2003 slaughter premium scheme. As two of these animals were beef breed heifers under 30 months of age, they were also eligible for national envelope top-up premium. Advance payment of 80% has issued for both schemes.
218 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford for suckler cow, slaughter premium and beef premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26395/03]
The 2003 area aid application for the person named has been fully processed with an area determined for payment purposes of 144.99 hectares. The person named submitted four applications in respect of a total of 75 animals for special beef premium in 2003 as follows: an application dated 4 February was in respect of eight animals, an application dated 11 March was in respect of six animals, an application dated 22 May was in respect of 19 animals and an application dated 28 August was in respect of 42 animals.
The person named has 95 animals eligible to him under the 2003 slaughter premium scheme. As 31 of these animals are heifers under 30 months of age, they are also eligible for national envelope top-up premium.
The person named applied for premium for 41 animals under the 2003 suckler cow premium scheme. Processing of the livestock scheme payments including the inputting of the results of an integrated on-farm inspection, has not yet been completed. My Department will shortly be in direct contact with the applicant on the matter.
