Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 5

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

162 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is participating in the REP scheme will qualify if he rents or leases additional land; and if he can transfer land out for other purposes. [1867/97]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

Where farmers in REPS acquire additional lands, they must have their agrienvironmental plans amended and must comply with the Department's specifications on the extended holdings. It is not possible to facilitate REPS payment on the additional lands at present.

A proposal to provide for payment on additional lands acquired after joining REPS, subject of course to the 40 hectare maximum payment area is currently being considered by the European Commission. I am hopeful that the proposal will be approved in the near future.

I should remind the Deputy that REPS payment is available only in respect of lands owned or leased for a period of not less than five years. REPS payment is not available in respect of lands rented/leased for a period of less than five years.

It is possible for a scheme participant to transfer lands out of an undertaking provided these lands are transferred: to another REPS participant; to facilitate an application under the scheme of early retirement from farming; or to facilitate an application under an approved forestry programme.

Land transferred by a REPS participant in other circumstances would result in a clawback of moneys already paid in respect of such lands. The clawback is operated on apro-rata basis.