Vol. 491 No. 6
231 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will provide additional compensation for a small number of farmers surrounding Ballinturley lake, Athleague, County Roscommon in view of the fact that these farmers have over 70 per cent of their farms designated as an SAC thereby making farms uneconomical; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12988/98]
I do not accept that the inclusion of a large proportion of a farm in a proposed SAC can make previously viable farms unviable.
The EU Commission has now agreed that under the REP scheme, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Food, payments of £80 an acre up to 100 acres, £8 an acre from 101-200 acres and £6 an acre from 201-300 acres will be available in respect of land proposed for inclusion within natural heritage areas NHAs. SAC lands are included within the proposed NHA network. Those who are already in REPS can avail of these higher payment levels, the previous rate for proposed NHA land was £62 an acre, and in general they will have to make little change to their farming methods, provided they are already complying with their REPS plans. Those who decide, for whatever reason, that REPS does not meet their needs can have an agri-environmental plan arranged for their farm by my Department, which will specify any conditions that must be observed to protect the ecology of the designated areas. The farmers can then quantify any losses arising for him as a result of compliance, and can make a claim to my Department for this amount. Where agreement is not reached on the amount payable, independent arbitration will be available. There is, therefore, no reason why farmers in proposed SAC areas should have any fears for the viability of their farms as a result of their inclusion.
