Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the compensation package offered to qualifying applicants for the pork recall compensation scheme, including the deciding criteria for acceptance into the scheme; the amount paid to date in 2009; the persons to whom it was paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36536/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The agreement concluded with pig processors in December 2008 involved making available a facility of €180 million from the public finances to assist processors in funding the recall and destruction of certain pork products from the market and product in storage. The criteria for acceptance into the Scheme are set out in the Scheme document published by my Department on 24 December 2008, a copy of which has already been provided directly to the Deputy by my office.

To date, a total of €69m has been paid to qualifying applicants under the Scheme, €35m in 2008 and €34m to date in 2009. Of this, €30m has been paid to primary processors and €39m to secondary processors. Payments are still continuing and it is not possible to provide a final list of all beneficiaries, or the total sums involved. However, a list of the applicants who have received payment to date is being supplied separately to the Deputy.