Vol. 506 No. 4
67 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the ecological and botanical qualifications possessed by REP scheme planners to ensure they are alert to the nature conservation requirements of this at farm level. [15627/99]
All approved REPS planners are graduates in agricultural science. The degree course pursued would have a significant ecological and botanical content.
Approved planning agencies-planners are required to have available to them the services of an environmentalist with specified qualifications in ecology and-or botany at degree or equivalent level.
Furthermore all agri-environmental plans involving natural heritage areas, special areas of conservation and special protection areas must be prepared by an approved planner and environmentalist.
68 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the qualifications of his Department inspectors in ecological and botanic criteria to ensure that they detect non-compliance with the conservation requirements of the REP scheme. [15628/99]
All inspectors dealing with REPS are graduates in agricultural science. This degree course has a significant ecological and botanical content.
In addition the Department has a fully qualified ecologist supervising framework planning and providing training for other Department officers dealing with REPS.
