Vol. 530 No. 6
158 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his views on whether the 70 miles limit on farmers who apply for headage grants is justified; his further views on the fact that modern transport arrangements greatly facilitate longer commuter distances for part-time farmers seeking off-farm employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4526/01]
One of the objectives of the disadvantaged areas compensatory allowance scheme is to maintain the farming population in those areas, and it is considered that this objective is best met by confining payment of grants to farmers, who if not living in the disadvantaged areas, are living within daily commuting distance of their holdings in a disadvantaged area. In the context of meeting this objective it is considered that a distance of no more than 70 miles is reasonable.
