Vol. 498 No. 5
46 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has received an assurance from the EU Commissioner that a new farm retirement scheme, which will have the off-farm criteria and enlargement clause substantially modified, will be introduced in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27863/98]
The existing regulation 2079/92 will remain extant until the new regulation under Agenda 2000 is implemented.
The Commission has indicated that under the new proposed regulations, modifications including the replacement of the enlargement requirement with economic viability criteria and removal of the restrictions in respect of farm income have been taken into consideration.
