Vol. 552 No. 4
84 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will amend the farm waste management scheme to eliminate the five year holding for a herd number and allow the 55% grant eligibility where applicants are under 35 years and hold the necessary qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12783/02]
Under the terms of the farm waste management scheme there is already provision to increase the grant-aid available to qualified young farmers to a maximum of 55% in certain circumstances. However, these additional grant rates may be applied only to investments undertaken within five years of setting up in farming. This was a basic condition applied by the EU Commission when it approved this scheme and there is no proposal at present to amend this.
