§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Rural Payments Agency will complete its review of the case referred by Mr. and Mrs. McCoy of Dartmouth regarding their 2001 bovine subsidy scheme claim. [99069]
§ Alun MichaelThe Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received a number of representations about the penalties imposed and considered them in consultation with the industry, taking account of the advice and views of the European Commission. As a result, a number of categories were identified where a review of the earlier446W decision was considered to be appropriate. Full details regarding the consultation and the categories affected have been sent to all bovine producers.
The RPA aims to process cases as quickly as possible but has made a commitment to the industry to complete the exercise by the end of March 2003. Mr and Mrs McCoy's case will be considered under the review provisions and a reply will be sent to them by the deadline.
The RPA is required under European legislation to cross-check bovine subsidy claims against the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) Cattle Tracing System (CTS) database. Discrepancies were found when checks were carried out on 2001 bovine claims resulting in a significant number of producers having penalties applied and also delays in making the subsidy payments.
The schemes affected are Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Slaughter Premium (including the Veal Calf Scheme) and Extensification Payments.