HC Deb 19 June 1990 vol 174 cc518-9W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farmers applied for special beef premium between 1 April 1989 and 31 March 1990; and, of these, how many were accepted and payment made.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Between 3 April 1989 (the commencement date of the scheme) and 31 March 1990, 23,375 farmers submitted 37,595 applications for beef special premium. Of these, 36,761 have been accepted and paid to date; 337 applications have been disallowed.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reasons were given for disallowing claims in respect of special beef premium between 1 April 1989 and 31 March 1990.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The reasons for disallowance of claims were:

  1. (a) Failure to comply with the on-farm retention requirement.
  2. (b) Inclusion in claims of animals on which premium had previously been paid.
  3. (c) Inclusion in claims of female cattle.
  4. (d) Inclusion in claims of animals below the minimum eligible age of 8 months at date of lodgement of the claim.
  5. (e) Producers making more than three claims (the maximum permitted) in a calendar year.