Vol. 560 No. 3
391 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when Dúchas will clarify the compensation package for commonage farmers who are not in the REP scheme and are affected by destocking restrictions; and when details of this package will be announced. [2443/03]
Compensation is already being paid to commonage farmers who are not in the REPS scheme and who are required to reduce stock. The compensation covers actual losses per head of stock reduced and includes premia and profits.
My Department is still awaiting the approval by the European Commission for State aid purposes of the proposed national compensation scheme, covering commonages as well as Natura 2000 sites. Following a recent meeting at official level with the Commission, at which outstanding issues were clarified, my Department anticipates that the scheme can be approved within two to three months, following completion of the necessary procedures within the Commission. Details of the scheme will be announced once Commission approval is forthcoming.
The principle underlying the scheme will be compensation of farmers for actual losses incurred or profits foregone as a result of restrictions imposed. In the case of commonages the stocking restrictions required will be the same as for farmers in the REPS scheme. As compensation relates to actual losses, it is envisaged that payments will be per head of stock reduced, covering lost premia and profits, rather than per hectare as in REPS. Having regard to the polluter pays principle, payment is only envisaged on reductions below a level of five ewe equivalents per hectare over the farm as a whole, including commonage.
