Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers that enrolled in the crop damage assessment form in 2010, in tabular form; the way the scheme operated; if he will provide a breakdown of national Exchequer and EU funding; the timeline for getting EU approval for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35687/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Aid Scheme for Potato and Vegetable Crops Damaged by Frost was launched in February 2010.  The scheme aimed to provide compensation for damage to potatoes and vegetables on foot of heavy frost in January 2010.  Application for the scheme was via a “Crop Damage Assessment Form” and each applicant was required to provide details of their holding and the damage incurred to their crop.  This form provided the basis for on farm verification visits to establish any losses arising due to the frost.

The scheme was paid in accordance with the Agriculture Block Exemption Regulation (EC) No. 1857/2006 on the application of articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to state aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products. At the time of the launch of the scheme, applicants were advised that payment would not issue until EU clearance under this regulation had been received. 

The Block Exemption Regulation required the frost damage to have destroyed more than 30% of the average annual production and provided the basis for this scheme to be funded from national funds. 

The scheme applied to primary producers in the potato and vegetable sector, and the maximum aid intensity was 80% (90% in Less Favoured Areas).  In all, 180 farmers received compensation under the scheme.  A total of some €4 million was paid in compensation under the scheme with payments commencing in September 2010.