Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004
155 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive headage and other premia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33939/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named included a land parcel on his 2004 area aid application, which was also claimed by another herdowner. Both herdowners were written to by my Department and the person named accepted that he was not entitled to claim area aid on the parcel concerned. The herdowner claimed 2.21 hectares on the aforementioned parcel. This over-claim amounted to 34% of his total forage area claimed and, consequently, he would not be entitled to payment under the 2004 area-based compensatory allowance scheme. The named person will not be entitled to benefit from livestock premia if the stocking density, based on the determined area of 6.50 hectares, is greater than 1.8 livestock units per hectare in accordance with the provisions for over-declaration of land under the relevant EU regulations.
The person named applied for premium on two animals under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme. The application has been processed and the two animals are eligible for payment. However, payment cannot issue yet as it will be necessary to await the end of the special beef premium application period on 31 December 2004 to establish if the area found is sufficient to support a stocking density of 1.8 livestock units per hectare in respect of the animals claimed.
To date, no applications have been received under the 2004 special beef premium scheme from the person named. The application period remains open however until the end of December 2004.
Under the 2004 EU slaughter premium scheme, to date, one animal has been deemed eligible for payment to the person named. The 60% advance payment in the amount of €48.00 issued on 20 October 2004 in respect of this animal.
Since the person named did not apply for either suckler cow premium or special beef premium in 2003, he is not eligible for payment of the 2003 extensification premium. He has submitted an application under the 2004 extensification premium scheme. Payments under the 2004 scheme are due to commence in June 2005. The application will be considered in due course.
