§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is taking to reduce the backlog in payments due under the over-30-months scheme. [116012]
§ Ms QuinCompensation payments under the over-30-months slaughter scheme (OTMS) are usually made within the Intervention Board's published target of 21 days. However, in the run-up to the extended Millennium break demand for the scheme reached the highest level since 1996, typically 20-25 per cent, above forecasts. This unexpected surge led to some payments being made outside target.
I am pleased to report, however, that since the end of February all payments have been made within the target.