Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Agriculture and Food

Flood Relief

10:00 am

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 604: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding claims for flooding when the amount claimed exceeded the State's guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30124/10]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Mindful of the hardship and distress caused by the widespread flooding experienced during the latter part of last year, on 27 November 2009 I announced the introduction of the Fodder Aid Scheme, targeted directly at those farmers who encountered damage to fodder in the affected areas. While I was very anxious that the funding reach the affected farmers as quickly as possible, it was essential that farmers demonstrate that their fodder was damaged and to what extent. To this end, therefore, it was necessary that each claim be verified by an on-the-spot inspection. Immediately applications began to be received by my Department, the necessary inspections were begun, following which the applications were further processed for payment.

The Scheme required farmers to demonstrate that the fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage: the aid was only payable in instances where genuine damage to silage, hay, concentrates or straw was caused by the flooding in November 2009; applications were required to be submitted by Friday 18 December 2009; all applications were subject to an on-farm inspection, during which the damaged fodder was required to be evident; aid was not payable where flood damage to fodder was covered by the farmer's insurance policy.

In addition, the financial assistance under the Fodder Aid Scheme was paid in accordance with State Aid regulation EC1535/2007 (de minimis aid in the agricultural production sector) – all applicants were required to complete a declaration in this regard.

I am pleased to say that payments commenced issuing on 18 December and, to date, payments worth almost €530,000 have issued; payments continue to issue as individual cases are confirmed eligible. I am particularly pleased at the speed with which these payments have been made directly to the affected farmers. Of the 256 farmers who have benefited under this Scheme to date, eight had their payments capped at the maximum allowable under the de minimis rules i.e. €7,500. In these cases it was not possible to pay in excess in view State Aid de minimis rules.

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