Dáil Éireann - Volume 500 - 18 February, 1999 - Written Answers.


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Dáil Éireann - Volume 500 - 18 February, 1999

Written Answers. - Ewe Premium Scheme.

Mr. Connaughton Mr. Connaughton

97. Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if sheep farmers who lose ewes as a result of inadequate fodder supplies will be treated as outlined in the terms and conditions of the EU 1999 ewe premium scheme. [4705/99]

Mr. Walsh Mr. Walsh

1418

[1418] Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh): Where sheep farmers discover that the number of ewes maintained during the retention period(s) falls below the number of ewes applied for they should immediately notify my Department in writing. Where my Department is satisfied that that the reduction was due to natural circumstances they will be paid on the remaining eligible ewes. If the reduction was as a result of force majeure they will be paid on the number of eligible ewes claimed, within the limit of the quota. Inadequate fodder supplies would not be considered by the EU as constituting force majeure.

Mr. Connaughton Mr. Connaughton

98. Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if farmers who have barren ewes will be allowed to sell before the retention period is completed for the special ewe premium scheme in view of the shortage of fodder on many sheep farms. [4706/99]

Mr. Walsh Mr. Walsh

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh): EU regulations specify that in order to qualify for ewe premium, all ewes on which premium is sought, must be retained on a specified holding for 100 days following the date of closure of the application period. The duration of the retention period, the imposition of which is for control purposes, is set out in a Council reguylation and any amendment to it must be either proposed by the Commission or agreed unanimously by Council. There is little or no prospect of this being agreed.

I have sought to address the fodder problems of producers by means of the two fodder packages which I have announced, under which a total of £41 million has been made available.

Dáil Éireann 500 Written Answers. Ewe Premium Scheme.

Questions

19990218