The person named is not the Registered Herd Owner. The registered herd owner does not hold any Single Payment entitlements.
The registered herd owner applied to be considered for an allocation of entitlements under Category A of the 2005 National Reserve which catered for farmers who inherited or received land free of charge or for a nominal sum from a farmer who had retired or died by 16 May, 2005 and who had leased out his/her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000 to 2002. The registered herd owner did not apply under the New Entrant category of the 2005 National Reserve.
The registered herd owner was deemed unsuccessful under Category A as he did not submit documentary evidence to indicate that the land he acquired was received free of charge or for a nominal amount. The registered herd owner subsequently submitted an appeal against this decision, which was forwarded to the Independent Single Payments Appeals Committee who disallowed the appeal.
In a reply to a previous question from the Deputy in 2009, it was outlined that officials from my Department would contact the registered herd owner to examine his eligibility under the New Entrant category of the 2005 National Reserve. The New Entrant Category of the 2005 National Reserve catered for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who did not receive any direct payments in respect of that scheme year. In addition farmers are required to meet certain criteria in relation to off-farm and farm income limits and educational qualifications. The registered herd owner was deemed ineligible as his off-farm income exceeded the upper limit of €20,000. A letter outlining this decision issued to the registered herd owner on 1 September 2009.