Vol. 522 No. 2
148 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps he is taking to eliminate serious delay in implementing the new REPS, early retirement, the farm waste management scheme and the new installation scheme; when these schemes will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18014/00]
The new REPS and early retirement schemes are included in Ireland's CAP Rural Development Plan for the period 2000-06. This plan, which also includes measures on compensatory allowances and forestry, was submitted to the European Commission at the end of December 1999.
Negotiations with the Commission began in March and are now in their final stage. Following the completion of these negotiations a standard formal procedure for approval of all plans has to take place and by its nature this exercise involves a considerable amount of detail and documentation. It is my objective to ensure that approval is forthcoming in the shortest possible time but it is too early at this stage to give any concrete dates for the likely commencement of the new REPS and early retirement schemes.
Under the National Development Plan 2000-06, a provision of £180.9 million has been made for a scheme of farm waste management and £65.6 million has been allocated for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards and installation aid schemes. These measures will form part of the new regional operational programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the southern and eastern region. The programmes have been submitted to the European Commission for approval. The negotiation process with the European Commission is expected to take a number of months and consequently the measures are unlikely to come on stream until later in the year.
In the meantime, it is intended that the national scheme for the control of farm pollution will remain in operation and open to applicants.
