Vol. 568 No. 1
242 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the details of the Fischler proposals on matters (details supplied) relating to entitlements for payment purposes for farmers who are participants in the EU retirement pension scheme; if the entitlements will revert to the farm owners on the expiry of both leases; if any or all of the entitlements will go into a national reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15468/03]
The European Commissions proposals for the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 will be discussed at a meeting of the Council of Ministers this week. The current position is that the Commission's proposals would result in the entitlements in the first case going into the national reserve and in the second case going to the transferee.
Over recent months a number of working groups, made up of officials from member states, have been examining the Commission's proposals. My Department has pointed out the potential implications both for farmers who have already retired under the early retirement schemes and for the young farmers who have taken over their holdings. I will continue to pursue the matter in the forthcoming discussions.
