SFP entitlements loss runs to €5m
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Mary Coughlan told the Dáil this is the estimated amount that will be surrendered to the National Reserve, when entitlements not activated in 2005, and entitlements activated but not used in 2005, 2006 or 2007, are taken into account.
When the single payment scheme was introduced in 2005 farmers were required to apply to activate their entitlements.
In order to use entitlements, each farmer was required to declare one hectare of eligible land for every entitlement held.
Once entitlements were activated in 2005, farmers had to use them within three years, or they would be surrendered to the National Reserve.
In March 2007 the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food reminded farmers that entitlements unused by 2007 would be lost. The final figure for entitlements unused over the three years will not be known until processing of the 2007 Single Payment applications is completed.
The minister was replying to Deputy Denis Naughten, Fine Gael.
Also in the Dáil, she told Deputy Pat Breen the level of errors on this year’s single payment applications is much higher than might have been expected, with many applicants making minor errors.
This is delaying the 50% advance payment, due on October 16.
The minister urged any applicants who have received correspondence from the SPS Unit of her Department in relation to specific problems on their SPS applications, to reply immediately.
Until queries are resolved payment cannot be made.
Farmers who wish to contact the SPS can use Lo-call numbers: 1890 252 235 for Clare, Cavan, and Limerick; 1890 252 236 for Cork, Westmeath; 1890 252 242 for Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Waterford and Wicklow; 1890 252 243 for Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Monaghan, and Sligo; 1890 252 244 for Donegal, Dublin, Offaly and Wexford; 1890 200 502 for Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Meath and Roscommon; 1890 250 598 for Tipperary.
The single payment scheme is worth about €1,290m per year to Irish farmers.
