Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the compensation scheme for potato and vegetable growers arising from the extreme weather spell during the winter. [16732/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I introduced this Scheme to provide some compensation to growers for damage to potatoes and root vegetables caused by frost in January of this year. The Scheme is aimed at providing a limited and targeted financial contribution to those growers who suffered significant losses of produce due to frost damage.

In accordance with EU State Aid Rules, aid is confined to actual losses and conditional on at least 30% of the crop being destroyed when compared with the previous 3 years production. Following consideration of the application of the person named, it was found that the minimum 30% loss was not met and, therefore, the person named could not qualify for aid under this Scheme. The person named was advised of this decision by letter dated 13 April and was also advised for his right to appeal the decision.