Question:
46 Mr. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the promised commonage framework plans will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13969/02]
Written Answers. - Commonage Division.
Approximately 90% of the commonage framework plans have now been completed. This represents 2,270 individual plans covering a total gross area of 386,617 hectares of commonage land. Work is ongoing on the remainder, many of which are at an advanced stage of preparation. The work on "mop-up" areas, which consist mainly of small fragmented areas, has also recently commenced. All plans will be completed as quickly as possible, although it is not possible to give a definite date for the final completion of the exercise since progress can be affected by certain unpredictable factors such as weather conditions.
The levels of de-stocking recommended in the majority of approved plans are currently available on my Department's website and this information will be updated within the next fortnight with the addition of de-stocking figures for the remainder of plans that have been approved to date. The plans themselves will also be made available through the website in due course and my Department will contact each farmer with commonage with an indication of the ewe quota which he or she is entitled to claim for 2003 ewe premium scheme purposes.
The framework planning exercise is being conducted jointly by my Department and Dúchas and officials meet on a regular basis to review progress.
Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 42.
Question No. 48 answered with Question No. 6.