Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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513. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry received a reduced organics payment; if this payment will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21576/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) contract for the person named, commenced on 1st May 2021. The participant declared 110.06 hectares in their 2021 BPS application, which was then used to calculate their Organic Farming Scheme payment.

As per the OFS 2021 terms and conditions, payment was computed based on a minimum stocking level of 0.5 livestock units per hectare of the forage area declared on an applicant’s BPS application. Farmers not reaching this level will receive payment on a pro-rata basis to their level of production.

Based on the stocking declaration submitted by the participant in respect of 2021, it was determined that the minimum stocking level was not reached and the participant received a reduced pro-rata payment.

After review, it has been determined that there was an error in the form submitted by the OFS participant, which resulted in the reduced payment. A correcting balance payment will issue in the coming days and the participant has been contacted regarding this matter.