The person named applied for premium for 19 cows and three heifers under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme. An 80% advance payment amounting to €3909.17 issued on 16 October 2002. This was in respect of 21.8 animals, which is the number of quota rights on record for the person named.
Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, a producer applying on 14 animals or more must continue to own, possess, hold and maintain on his holding during the retention period a number of heifers at least equal to 15% and at most equal to 40% of the total number of animals for which premium has been requested or have acceptable replacements for those animals. In processing the application for balancing payment it was found that one of the heifers calved during the retention period causing the heifer percentage to fall below the required 15% level. However, due to industrial action by the clerical staff in the Galway office who are members of the CPSU, the application cannot be processed further at this time.