Vol. 542 No. 2
258 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will consider compensating mountain area farmers out of savings that have arisen under the 2001 disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24174/01]
In 1997, a review of mountain type grazing lands for sheep headage purposes in the more severely handicapped areas and the less severely handicapped areas was carried out by my Department. All land classified as mountain type grazing was subsequently identified as such on the land parcel identification system. This designation as mountain type grazing suited most farmers, especially those engaged in sheep production, allowing them to be paid headage grants on mountain type ewes. However, in designating the areas concerned on the land parcel identification system regard had to be had to certain natural boundaries such as rivers and roads and it was not possible to exclude certain farms where sheep production did not take place.
The new area-based compensatory allowance scheme agreed in July 2000 and approved by the European Commission in the context of the CAP rural development plan provides for area related payments as follows: more severely handicapped lowland £70 per hectare up to 45 hectares; less severely handicapped lowland £60 per hectare up to 45 hectares; mountain type land £45 per hectare up to 60 hectares.
The scheme is currently under review with a view to finding the most equitable arrangements with particular reference to farmers with mountain type land.
