Michael Creed
Question:379 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the set aside proposals, if any, which are operated by his Department.
Written Answers. - Set Aside Proposals.
Under the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in the arable sector, producers of cereals, oilseeds and protein crops are entitled to claim compensatory payments subject to the setting aside in some circumstances of a proportion of arable land, which for this crop year is fixed at 15 per cent.
Farmers entering 37 acres or less in this scheme are not required to withdraw land from production but may do so if they wish to avail of higher rates of compensation for oilseed and protein crops. Land must be left in set-aside for a seven month period commencing on 15 December 1992 and must be maintained in good agricultural condition without damaging the environment.
In order to be eligible for set-aside, land must have been in arable production in the previous year; must not have been in permanent pasture for a five year period prior to 31 December 1991; and normally must have been farmed by the applicant in the two preceding years. Land set-aside under this scheme is subject to a six year rotation. There is an option providing for non-rotational set-aside at a higher percentage of land withdrawal. The latter percentage has yet to be proposed by the EC Commission.
The compensation payment currently fixed for the set-aside area is £261.91 per hectare (£105.99 per acre).
An earlier aid scheme introduced in 1988, and designed to encourage the set-aside of arable land, was terminated in 1992. However remaining payments arising from the five year set-aside arrangements under that scheme will continue until individual agreements have expired.
As part of the agri-environment measure accompanying Common Agricultural Policy reform, aid may be given to farmers who undertake to set aside farmland for at least 20 years with a view to its use for purposes connected with the environment, in particular for the establishment of natural parks, the preservation of flora and fauna and the protection of hydrological systems. My Department is currently drawing up a national scheme to give effect to this measure.