Vol. 511 No. 6
208 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the advice he will give to farmers contemplating entering the REP scheme in view of the fact that the current scheme terminates shortly; when the successor to the current scheme will be available; the way in which it will differ from the existing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25204/99]
Programmes approved by the European Commission under the accompanying measures of CAP reform 1992 including the REP scheme will end on 31 December 1999. My Department will be unable to approve applications after that date. I have taken special measures to ensure that valid applications submitted by 30 November can be pro cessed and approved before the end of the present scheme.
A new agri-environmental scheme is being drawn up in a rural development plan to be submitted to the European Commission before the end of December 1999 under the terms of the new Council Regulation on Support for Rural Development. While closely modelled on the existing scheme, the proposals include provisions for certain enhancements. The new agri-environmental scheme cannot be operational until the plan has been approved by the Commission. My objective will be to secure the earliest agreement of the Commission so that the new scheme can be in place at the earliest date in 2000.
