John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will rescind the decision made on the retention period on the herd of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8739/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named applied for premium on ten animals under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme. Payment of his 60% advance instalment amounting to €1,344.90 issued to him on 19 October 2004.

When processing the application for balancing payment it was found that three of the animals had been disposed of inside the six months retention period and so required replacing. The three replacement heifers nominated by the applicant were found to be ineligible as one had been accepted as a replacement animal already and the other two were under the required eight months age limit. The original three animals therefore stood to be rejected with the consequent reduction penalty to be applied as set out in paragraph 40(a) of the terms and condition of the scheme.

The person named was notified on 2 February 2005 that on the basis of medical evidence submitted by him a decision had been taken to delete the animals from the application without penalty and the claim was processed further to allow full payment on the remaining seven eligible animals. He was informed that he could seek a review of this decision by contacting his district livestock office with any new evidence that might assist his case.

The herdowner sought a review of his case on grounds of further medical evidence but was informed on 22 February 2005 that the decision not to pay on the three animals removed was to be upheld. Balancing payments are due to start at the end of this month. He has been advised that he can appeal this decision by contacting the appeals office in Portlaoise within three months.