Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 7

Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.

Ivan Yates

Question:

178 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the dialogue, if any, between his Department and Brussels in relation to the removal of the enlargement clause from the operations of the early retirement scheme; when a new scheme is due to be put in place for the continued operation of the scheme; the change, if any, in relation to the enlargement clause; the prospect, if any, of it applying to existing participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12909/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The rural development regulation which was formally adopted by the Agriculture Council yesterday as part of the Agenda 2000 agreement provides for continued support for early retirement from farming. Under the new regulation, the provisions of which cannot apply before 1 January 2000, the enlargement requirement will be replaced by a provision linked to the improved viability of the holding transferred.

Detailed rules for the implementation of the regulation have yet to be agreed. I will ensure that the possibility of applying the revised requirements is raised in the context of the discussions on the detailed rules.