Vol. 458 No. 4
21 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will divert funding from the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme in order to fund the existing corncrake protection programme in the three areas where the corncrake survives, the Shannon Callows, County Mayo and County Donegal, this being the best means of saving this globally endangered species from extinction. [15875/95]
Rural Environmental Protection Scheme is a comprehensive scheme dealing with a range of farm practices. The protection of wildlife habitats and species is one of a number of supplementary measures contained in Rural Environmental Protection Scheme.
Under the supplementary measure additional payments are available to applicants who have some or all of their lands in a proposed natural heritage area, NHA, and who adhere to conditions laid down by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This measure is mandatory on Rural Environmental Protection Scheme participants.
The areas referred to by the Deputy are proposed national heritage areas. I would therefore encourage landowners in the three areas to join the scheme and avail of the aid provided in it which could help to maintain and increase the number of corncrakes in these areas.
