Michael Ring
Question:169 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on whether the introduction of the framework document will limit the number of new farmers coming into the REP scheme. [5816/99]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
The introduction of the national commonage framework plan agreed between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, pending the completion of the individual commonage framework plans, enables farmers with owned commonage to join the revised REP scheme for natural heritage areas (NHAs) and commonage land. Farmers who have leased commonage lands and farmers who have not farmed the commonage will be eligible to participate in the REP scheme in respect of other lands farmed by them but will not qualify for the additional payments in the enhanced REP scheme for NHAs and commonage land.
Currently there are approximately 40,000 participants in REPS and this figure is expected to rise as a result of the new measure being introduced. A total of £132.75 million was paid to REPS participants in 1998 and estimated expenditure in 1999 is £178.00 million.
Michael Ring
Question:170 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on whether the framework document will result in higher productivity for farmers or a more environmentally friendly system for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5817/99]
The objectives of the REP scheme include the establishment of farming practices and production methods which reflect the need for environmental conservation and protection, the protection of wildlife habitats and endangered species of flora and fauna and the producton of quality food in an environmentally friendly manner.
The Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, is in the process of drawing up commonage framework plans in consultation with my Department. The main aim of these plans is to set sustainable stocking levels which will allow for the regeneration of damaged vegetation. Where commonages are found to be degraded, this will result in a reduction of the existing stocking densities and all participants with qualifying commonage land will be eligible to apply for the increased payment rates under supplementary measure A of the REP scheme.