Ulick Burke
Question:169 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the circumstances, if any, under which a holding which is spilt qualifies for REP scheme payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11660/99]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Each application under REPS is considered on its merits. Farms are considered to be genuinely separate where there is separate ownership or a properly executed lease, where they are managed separately taking into account previous and current land use and whether there are separate handling and holding facilities and no intermixing of herds. Separate farm accounts for each holding must also be available.
However, notwithstanding the above, applications cannot be accepted where an existing farming unit has been split to facilitate the creation of two or more farming units in order to circumvent the eligible area limit of 40 hectares and thereby enhance the level of REPS payment. This is clearly not within the spirit or intent of the scheme and is clearly excluded.