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Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Ceisteanna (1149)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

1149. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14729/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are two related issues regarding the loss of entitlements by the person named.

The herd number for the person named was transferred to another person on 07/03/2019. However, the parties involved did not submit a transfer of entitlements application to transfer the entitlements. Therefore, these entitlements remained with the original herdowner (the person named), and as no BPS was applied for by that person over a two year period, the entitlements reverted to the National Reserve in 2020.

Secondly, no Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) applications were submitted by the new herdowner in 2019, 2020, or 2021.

The person named was notified of the loss of entitlements through non-usage on 05/07/2021, and replied to this notification on 14/07/2021 citing health issues, but did not provide any supporting evidence.

The EU Regulations governing the BPS state that all entitlements allocated under the Basic Payment Scheme (including the National Reserve) are subject to a two-year usage rule. This means that each farmer must ensure that s/he uses 100% of their entitlements claimed at least once out of every two consecutive years. Any entitlement that remains unused for two consecutive years will revert to the National Reserve and be lost permanently by the farmer. In addition, these Regulations are very clear about late applications and the reductions that apply to such late applications. Once 30 days have passed from the original closing date, the reduction is the full amount applied for and no funds will issue.

My Department will contact the persons involved to discuss the matter and explore their options.

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