Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 4

Written Answers. - Rural Environmental Protection Scheme.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

30 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has received a submission from the IFA which calls for reductions in REPS penalties; if so, his views on this submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13845/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

A system of penalties in place for breaches of obligations under the existing rural environmental protection scheme was introduced in accordance with the requirements of commission regulation (EC) No 746/96. Commission Regulation 1750/1999 contains a similar requirement in respect of measures to be put in place under Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999, under which my Department has made proposals for a successor rural environmental protection scheme for the period 2000-2006, and my Department is making provision accordingly.

In addition to its obligations under EU regulations, my Department is committed to the introduction of the new protocol for farmers under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Discussions on the protocol are taking place with the farming organisations. Penalties and their categorisation are to be included in the protocol and accordingly any proposed penalty system for the REP scheme will be addressed in this context also.

In the course of reviewing its existing system of penalties and making provision for a penalty system for the new rural environmental protection scheme, my Department invited and received submissions from a number of bodies, including the IFA. All proposals received are being assessed and discussions will take place with all parties. My Department will then make its conclusions on the matter.