Vol. 442 No. 5
21 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will introduce a scheme to compensate sheep farmers for allowing extensive areas of mountain grazing land to be used as sanctuaries for game birds, in an endeavour to encourage and promote tourism.
26 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the estimated value of the REPS scheme up to the year 1997; and the number of farmers he expects will take part in the scheme.
45 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the commencement date for the rural environment protection scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 26 and 45 together.
The rural environment protection scheme (REPS), which was formally approved by the European Commission on 29 April, will commence shortly. Details of the scheme, including application forms and a list of planning agencies approved to draw up the required agri-environment plans for farmers under the scheme, will be available from the Department's farm development service offices at that time.
The value of the scheme up to 1997 is estimated to be nearly £230 million with further expenditure after that date. It is estimated that about 40,000 farmers will participate in the scheme over the next five years.
Under the scheme a number of supplementary measures allow for payments additional to the basic REPS premium to be made to farmers for the protection of natural heritage areas, rejuvenating degraded areas or allowing public access for leisure activities.
Sheep farmers could also recieve payment to allow mountain grazing land to be used as game bird sanctuaries under one or other of these supplementary measures.
Deputy Timmins is probably the most active Member of the Dáil for the Wicklow constituency.
Do not test the Chair's patience.
A wildlife area.
That has made them both blush. I am glad progress is being made. I do not know if the Minister is aware that in the last century some mountainous areas were alive with wildlife and game birds but these areas are now denuded of any form of wildlife. A major incentive needs to be given to sheep farmers so that pheasants, grouse, woodcocks, partridges, peacocks and snipe will return.
A question, please, Deputy.
Will the Minister undertake a major programme, in conjunction with the Minister for Tourism, to ensure that mountain ranges are a sanctuary for wildlife? We have been overzealous in the production of sheep to the detriment of wildlife and the tourism industry.
This is a very important scheme and is an accompanying measure in the CAP reform. There has been a serious decline in the numbers of wildlife and I am concerned about overgrazing. It is a feature of the scheme that grant assistance will be made available to farmers to ensure adequate housing for livestock, including sheep, and stop mountain grazing at certain times. Overall £230 million will be provided for rural areas and the protection and enhancement of scenic areas. Farmers will be encouraged financially. I expect great things from the scheme.
What is the Minister's policy? It is one thing to have an EU scheme in place and another for the Department to have a clear policy with well defined targets. Will he set targets to reduce overgrazing over a certain period of time? It is not good enough to hope there will be a response from farmers. We know how difficult it is for schemes, such as the farm retirement scheme, to produce the required benefit. Who determines sheep grazing policy in mountain ranges which are national parks? Is it the Department of Agriculture or the Office of Public Works?
A substantial sum, £230 million, will be provided over the next few years. It will be a matter for farmers to apply for grant aid under the scheme. In many areas farmers will not have to do anything more than at present. It will encourage farming practices which will allow wildlife and rural life continue without scarring the countryside or overgrazing. The Minister of State, Deputy Hyland, will announce details of the scheme shortly.
Maybe in Wexford on Thursday.
It will be over the next few weeks. Grazing is a matter for the owners of the land.
The Minister does not have a policy.
The Minister referred to the criteria necessary for a successful application under the REPS programme. One was public access to land for leisure use. I agree that we must keep our lands as open as possible so that people can use and enjoy our beautiful country side. One problem is occupier's liability. How can, any application under the programme be considered without changing the law on occupier's liability if one of the conditions is public access for leisure? Farmers do not want to preclude entrance to their lands for sport or leisure activities but are driven to do so by their insurance companies.
The main objectives of the scheme are to encourage environmental farming habits and to protect wildlife habitats and endangered species of flora and fauna. The question of occupier's liability was raised many times and it is an extremely vexed one. The study is nearing completion. In common with other Deputies I would like to see this matter resolved.
When will the law be changed?
I am delighted the Minister is putting a scheme forward to deal with the points I raised. I suggest he conducts a few pilot schemes in conjunction with the Department so that people will see what can be done by providing such habitats on mountain ranges. Will the Minister do so initially on the Comeragh range in Waterford in recognition of the fact that a Deputy from Waterford raised the matter?
The Comeraghs will have some competition from Cork south west.
There are no mountains in Cork south west.
