Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the special beef premium application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [36171/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named submitted two applications under the 2004 special beef premium scheme, in respect of a total of 19 animals. The first application, in respect of ten animals, was received on 4 May 2004 and the second application, in respect of nine animals, was received on 7 January 2005.

Following computer validation, it was found that eight of the animals on the second application were non-CMMS compliant, meaning they were not recorded as being in the herd of the person named on the date of receipt of the application by the Department, a regulatory requirement of the scheme. The ninth animal was found to have died prior to application. Under the governing regulations, the eight non-CMMS compliant animals were liable to be rejected, that is, not paid premium, and a reduction penalty applied to other premia payments to the person named. The ninth animal was not eligible for payment and was deleted as an innocent error.

Correspondence with the person named having failed to resolve the matter, an official of my Department has been in direct contact with the person named, following which the position regarding the non-compliance has been satisfactorily resolved. This application is now being further processed with a view to payment of the eight eligible animals at an early date.

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding REP schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36172/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The EU regulations governing the single payment scheme make specific provision for farmers who were obliged, because of agri-environmental undertakings such as REPS, to reduce their stock numbers. Such farmers are entitled to apply to my Department to have their single payment entitlements calculated on the period before they destocked. My Department is currently processing applications from farmers who sought to have this provision applied to them.