Fergus O'Dowd
Question:21 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to make the REP scheme more attractive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3960/03]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
More than 45,000 farmers joined REPS during the first scheme which ran from 1994 to 1999, and farmers in REPS have received over €1 billion in payments so far. In 2001, the number of applications for the new scheme was the highest since REPS began, and 2002 also saw a large number of farmers joining the scheme. It is clear, therefore, that many farmers are already aware of the advantages of a scheme that offers them an average payment of €4,900 a year for five years.
Although the advantages of REPS are clearly recognised already, I am anxious nevertheless to make sure that it continues to be relevant and attractive to as many farmers as possible. For that reason, I have announced a consultation process – open to all stakeholders – with a view to putting together a package of proposals that I can send later in the year to the European Commission. My intention is that the review of REPS will be wide-ranging, combining all aspects of the scheme including the individual measures, payment rates, controls and sanctions. All the main provisions of REPS are contained in the CAP rural development plan and any significant changes would require the Commission's agreement to amend the plan.
The first stage of the review process was an invitation to make written submissions, and I set a deadline of 10 January for these. My officials are now analysing the submissions and the next stage, a round of meetings with stakeholders, will begin shortly. In the meantime, and in line with the Government's commitment to simplify scheme documentation, I have made some administrative changes to REPS which are being put into effect at the moment. Farmers with more extensive holdings can now opt for a simplified REPS plan, while my Department will no longer look for title documentation for owned land but instead will check REPS applications against land areas declared for area aid. To facilitate farmers and planners further I have, at a cost of €1.3 million in copyright fees to the Ordnance Survey, made arrangements for planners to access and download land parcel information from my Department's land parcel identification system, which makes entry to the REPS much more simple and accurate for all new applicants.