Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
266 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) who was penalised on the late area aid application in 2001 will not be penalised on the double due to the fact that the year in question is included in the calculation for the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22522/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named will not be penalised on the double as penalties, due to late area aid applications, applied to eligible animals or eligible areas under the direct payment schemes will not be applied in perpetuity in respect of the single payment scheme. As a result each case, where such penalties were applied, will be examined individually by my Department.
267 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason an application under force majeure by a person (details supplied) in County Galway was not successful; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the farm is situated in the catchment area of the Dunkellin river and the very wet seasons in 2000 and 2002 which necessitate a very big reduction in the livestock numbers capable of being carried on this land; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that water logging of land has a detrimental effect on grass production and particularly its effect on land closed for silage, and that poaching and compaction are serious matters on such wetland farms; if a successful appeal by a farmer in question will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22553/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined by him do not satisfy the criteria for force majeure-exceptional circumstance under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. The person named has been advised that he can appeal my Department’s decision to the independent single payment appeals committee.
268 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway was not successful in their force majeure application; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this farmer lost their extensification premium for 2002 for no other reason than they have tuberculosis in their herd; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this application is now on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22554/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined by him, that is, non-eligibility for extensification premium in 2002, do not satisfy the criteria for force majeure-exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003.
Having been notified of this decision the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. Following a full examination of the circumstances outlined in this appeal a decision will be issue shortly to the person named.
269 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the entitlements under force majeure for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [22646/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named applied for consideration of force majeure-exceptional circumstances on 9 January 2004 on medical grounds and following examination of the circumstances he was deemed ineligible for force majeure. However, arrangements have been made to re-examine the circumstances put forward and my Department will contact the person named with a result of this review as soon as possible.
The person named subsequently submitted an application for consideration as a new entrant to farming during the reference period. Following initial processing of this application he was requested to submit additional documentation, this documentation has now been received in my Department and a final decision will issue shortly to the person named.
270 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when beef premium and extensification payments will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick for 2003. [22670/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named included a parcel of land on his 2003 area aid application that was also claimed by another herdowner. The area aid unit is awaiting legal documentation from the person named that shows his entitlement to the land parcel and his 2003 area aid application cannot be fully processed until this matter is resolved.
Under the 2003 EU special beef premium scheme the person named lodged one application in respect of 17 animals. One animal was deleted from this application as it was too young to be included for special beef premium and payment is delayed on the remaining 16 animals due to the area aid problem.
In relation to the 2003 extensification premium, the position is that eligibility cannot be determined until the 2003 area aid problem is resolved.
271 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare did not receive notification of their single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22800/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reason the person named did not receive a provisional entitlement statement is that there was a change of ownership during the reference period.
My Department will examine the details of the case and issue a provisional entitlement statement as soon as possible.
272 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department will award forestry grants due to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [22816/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis application was approved and the first instalment of the grant has already been paid. However, I understand that the second instalment grant has not been claimed in respect of this plantation. Payment of the annual forestry premium cannot be released until payment of this second instalment grant has been claimed and approved.
