asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the severely handicapped areas were introduced in this country; the various dates when extensions were granted; the acreages involved in each extension; and the total number of farmers in each extension.
Written Answers. - Severely Handicapped Areas.
131.
The first classification of areas as disadvantaged under EC Directive 268/75 was carried out in April 1975. Extensions were granted in 1976, 1981 and 1985.
Under the 1976 extension approximately 80,000 acres were classified as more severely handicapped for the first time. Under the 1981 extension approximately 101,000 acres were classified as more severely handicapped for the first time, 64,000 acres approximately were classified as mountain sheep grazing for the first time and 128,000 acres approximately were classified as more severely handicapped.
Under the 1985 extension 407,000 acres were classified as less severely handicapped or given mountain sheep grazing status for the first time and 869,000 acres were reclassified from less severely handicapped or mountain sheep grazing status to more severely handicapped status.
The numbers of farmers affected by the extension are estimated to have been approximately 1,500 in 1976, 3,000 in 1981 and 5,000 in 1985.