Vol. 514 No. 5
141 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the review of the early retirement from farming scheme will allow lessees greater flexibility in the number of hours they are permitted to work off-farm; if he will consider a reconciliation of the existing scheme with the proposed new scheme having regard to the economic changes taking place in farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4730/00]
Unlike the existing scheme for which applications closed on 31 December last, the proposed new early retirement scheme does not include a requirement that transferees practise farming as a main occupation.
The proposed new scheme was submitted to the European Commission in December as part of a draft rural development plan for the period 2000-2006, and its terms are subject to the approval of the Commission. There are no proposals to modify the terms of the existing scheme.
