Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2005
129 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the European Commission regarding the impact of the special beef premium overshoot on farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14015/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI made arrangements last month to expedite balancing payments to farmers affected by the special beef premium quota excess based on an estimated overshoot reduction. Over the last two weeks, some €80 million has been paid to special beef, suckler cow and slaughter premium applicants with the bulk of this going to farmers with more than 25 special beef premium animals.
I have also raised the matter of the overshoot with the European Commission pointing out that it was never the intention of the mid-term reform of the Common Agricultural Policy that farmers would be disadvantaged in the transition to the single payment scheme. As the extent of the special beef premium quota excess is linked to the move to full decoupling of direct payments in 2005, I have asked the Commission to address the problem as a matter of urgency.
