Pat Breen
Question:79 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans he has to encourage the leasing of land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29231/03]
Written Answers. - Land Leasing.
I am conscious of the need to have policies that will act as an incentive for farmers to engage in the long-term leasing of land. There are a number of provisions in place which are intended to assist to this end, for example the early retirement scheme allows participants transfer his-her farms by either deed of transfer or long-term lease and there are almost 8,000 farmers participating in this scheme; the rural environment protection scheme is payable on land that is leased-in on a long-term basis; and the taxation system allows for a rental income tax exemption for farmers over 55 years who lease-out their farmland on a long-term basis to an unconnected person.