Vol. 517 No. 4
160 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will clarify the position for farmers in the Burren area in County Clare regarding extensification criteria in view of the particular historical grazing patterns of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10110/00]
The position is that Commission Regulation 3887/92 which lays down the detailed rules for implementing the integrated administration and control system requires that each forage area must be available for rearing animals for a minimum period of seven months, starting on a date to be determined by the member state, which must be between 1 January and 31 March.
My Department has reviewed all aspects of the matter. Following this review I am satisfied that areas classified as winterages in REPS plans need not necessarily be excluded from the total area to be claimed as forage area on area aid applications. In so far as winterages in the Burren area of County Clare are concerned these areas can be claimed as forage area on area aid applications but, as in the case of forage areas generally, in calculating the total areas to be claimed areas of bare rock should be excluded.
