13th April 2002
News
13th April 2002
News |
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Trapped by the spy in the sky
By Andy Doyle
Cross checking of satellite imagery for the five reference years 1987 to 1991 has indicated that up to half the arable parcels queried by the Department earlier this year appear not to be eligible.
This could cause much concern to the many growers who are now preparing to sow cereals on con-acre land. Some are likely to now seek assurances from the landowner that ground can be proved to be eligible. This cross check was ordered in response to the difficulties encountered by applicants in providing specific proof for individual parcels.
It is understood that the Department viewed many of the responses to the original query on parcel eligibility as inadequate. But recognising the difficulty in acquiring such proof, the Department has since carried out a satellite imagery crosscheck. It is understood that this crosscheck was conducted on the majority of the queried parcels.
It is now understood that up to half the parcels crosschecked showed no signs of cultivation during any of the five reference years.
This has led the Department to conclude that such parcels are not eligible. Communication of this fact will be forwarded to growers in the coming days. It is imperative that this information is supplied to applicants before the 2002 form is completed and returned.
The delay in informing applicants of these facts may again be related to difficulties being encountered with the Department's new computerised control system. This may also account for the apparent delay in issuing the 2002 Area Aid Application forms.
While over 3000 area aid forms have already been returned to the Department's Area Aid Unit other applicants have only just received their 2002 application forms. The quick turn around required is causing concern on many farms with only two weeks left to the deadline.
Meanwhile some early recipients of the 2002 application form have expressed concern that the area being claimed in forage parcels is being challenged. In such instances the claimed parcel area has been left empty on the 2002 form to warn the applicant to cross check.
One Donegal forage applicant was concerned about a specific parcel where large trees on a ditch generated `shadow' or uncertainty about `waste' ground. In response the Department indicated that if the area beneath the trees can be grazed then the
'shaded' area can be included. If silage can be cut there is no question.
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Copyright © : The Irish Farmers Journal 2002 |
