Vol. 479 No. 2
331 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when the EU concession will be applied permitting additional payments to participants under the rural environment protection scheme who acquire additional land. [12636/97]
Commission Regulation (EC) 435/97, which enabled additional payments to be made to REPS participants who buy, lease or otherwise acquire additional lands subsequent to joining the scheme, came into force on 14 March 1997.
Revised payments, where applicable, will apply from the applicant's next payment date subject to compliance with the provisions of EU Regulation 435/97 and the conditions of the scheme.
332 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the percentage of farmers appealing their penalties under the rural environment protection scheme who have those penalties waived or reduced. [12637/97]
Approximately 40 per cent of farmers who have had their appeals heard have had penalties waived or reduced.
