Vol. 482 No. 8
42 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is his intention to abolish the enlargement clause required in the early retirement scheme in view of the fact that it is serving to inflate land prices and affects the stability of transferees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19468/97]
It is a requirement of Council Regulation 2079/92 under which this scheme is being implemented that the person who succeeds the transferor/owner as the head of the agricultural holding expand the utilizable agricultural area (UAA) of the holding by at least 5 hectares or by 10 per cent whichever is greater. At present therefore it is not possible to modify the stipulation concerning the enlargement. When the current scheme is being reviewed it is my intention that this matter will be raised with the European Commission.
