Joe Walsh
Question:369 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to include deer under the headage payment schemes. [13203/95]
Written Answers. - Headage Payments for Deer.
My Department is considering proposals for the introduction of a scheme of compensatory headage payments on deer. The relevant EU Regulation provides that in the case of production other than cattle, sheep, horses and goats, the compensatory allowance shall be proportional to the area farmed, less that devoted to the feeding of livestock. In other words the compensatory allowances for deer would be based on forage area exclusively devoted to deer farming, and our proposals have been drafted along these lines.
The proposals will require the consent of the Minister for Finance. Formal approval of the European Commission of the inclusion of deer under our compensatory headage payments scheme will also be necessary.