Brendan Howlin
Question:15 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the details of the commonage framework plans announced recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11898/02]
Written Answers. - Commonage Division.
More than 90% of the commonage framework plans have been completed and it is estimated that the remainder will be finalised within three months. Details of destocking percentages in the plans completed to date, shown by townland, are on my Department's website, along with details of how they will be put into effect. The commonage framework plans are being recorded in electronic format so they can be made available on the website.
In the more than 2,000 plans completed to date, which cover more than 330,000 hectares, the varying levels of destocking recommended are indicative of the varying degrees of environmental degradation which the planning teams encountered. Almost 70% of the total area will require destocking of 30% or less, and destocking of more than 50% is recommended for only 8.55% of the area. Each farmer with commonage will be required to apply the destocking formula at individual farm level and notify my Department of the quota that must be suppressed or indeed given back for the 2003 ewe premium year. My Department will write shortly to each of the farmers involved to explain what must be done and I have instructed my officials to make every effort to simplify the procedure.