Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the 2009 single farm payment has been approved in respect of persons (details supplied) in view of a submission of an amendment to their application on 8 September 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31345/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Notwithstanding that the amendment form in question was received in my Department after the latest date for receipt of amendment forms under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme, as defined in the governing EU Regulations, under the rules concerning the consolidation of single payment entitlements ("the 50% rule"), were the two parcels which were listed on the amendment form in question to be taken into account, the person named would still fail the 50% rule and, therefore, the issue of the acceptance, or non-acceptance, by my Department of the amendment form in question is not relevant.

The 50% rule in relation to the consolidation of single payment entitlements concerns the number of SPS entitlements held in 2005, which in the case of the person named was 68.10. The eligible area declared by the person named under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme was 24.30 hectares and the area of the two parcels included on the amendment form in question was 9.05 hectares, a combined area of 33.35 hectares, which is below the 50% requirement i.e. 34.05 hectares.