November 6th 1999

£112m hit on suckler and special
beef premium payout

By John Shirley

NOVEMBER 1 1999 has been the best performance to date by the Department of Agriculture in payment of Suckler Cow and Special Beef premium advances.

Minister Joe Walsh confirmed that cheques totalling £122 million were posted this week. This paid advances to 77% of the May 1999 applicants for Special Beef Premium and 86% of the advances to Jan. to July applicants under the 1999 Special beef premiums.

The advances were fixed at just short of £80/hd per suckler cow, just under £52/hd per 10 mth steer premium and £63.80/hd per young bull. The 40% balance will be paid automatically in the New Year on suckler cows and on the Special beef Premium if the national quota is not breached.

On top of this, a small euro agrimonetary top up is due.

1999 special beef premium

61,401 payments made, bringing the total to 86% of Jan. to July applicants. This time last year 67% were paid. August 1999 applicants will become payable before the end of this month.

1999 Suckler cow scheme

55,430 payments made, representing 77% of the total. The comparable 1998 figure was 69% paid.

1999 Arable Aid Scheme

Payments under the 1999 Arable Aid scheme began on October 18. Including oilseed advances, a total of £75m has been paid to 94% of applicants. This compares to £68 million paid to 86% of applicants on the same date in 1998

Delay on commonages

A major reason delaying payment, especially on Headage, is the lack of evidence of commonage ownership where commonage has been included on the area aid application.

Minister Joe Walsh urges farmers who have been contacted on this problem to make immediate response. Also farmers concerned should respond to advertisements being placed in the farm media.

Dry heifer/headage rift under Agenda 2000

The fact that some dry heifers will be eligible for suckler cow premium for the first time in 2000 will bring changes in the traditional combined suckler cow/headage application.

The requirements for headage in 2000 will be exactly the same as per 1999; only cows will be eligible for the higher rates of £75 or £84 a head. Dry heifers will not be eligible for these rates even though they can collect suckler cow premium (up to 20% of the quota).

Heifers will of course be eligible for the lower rate headage payments in the severely disadvantaged areas.