Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 461: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has unilaterally introduced a change in the procedure in relation to the payment of suckler premium where all 2009 calves from January 1 to 31 December will have to be submitted before any premium is awarded; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this would mean that farmers will have to wait 18 months for premia as calves born in the latter part of 2009 will not be weaned until Summer and Autumn of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25246/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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It is a condition of the Suckler Welfare Scheme that for herds with more than 10 Suckler Cows that the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with each group being removed at a minimum interval of five days. This is one of the primary conditions of the Scheme. Payment cannot issue, therefore, for these herds until all of the animals have been weaned and have been found to comply with all of the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.