Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if an appeal will be opened for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [11643/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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An application under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 2 May 2007. One of the primary provisions of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is that applicants must maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for at least three consecutive months. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified as potentially not meeting this minimum stocking density requirement, the applicant is invited to submit evidence of satisfactory stocking i.e. Flock Register, Horse Passports. Alternatively the applicant may be considered for Derogation from the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per hectare in cases where a holding consists of Mountain type grazings and the applicant was a previous recipient under the Headage schemes.

This case was identified as qualifying under Derogation and payment of €1,266.04 issued to the herdowner on 25 September 2007. The payable order was cashed on 20 October 2007.

The case was subsequently inspected on 26 October 2007 under the Single Payment/ Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The inspecting officer found the herd to be under the required 0.15 livestock units per hectare on the day and notified the herdowner of this finding of ineligibility. This file was reviewed on return to the Inspection Section and it was established that Payment issued under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was valid.