Pádraic McCormack
Question:16 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to provide greater support for small farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29207/04]
View answerThursday, 18 November 2004
Questions (17)
Written answers
I am keenly aware of the need to provide support for small farmers particularly in the context of the Common Agricultural Policy. One of the areas where this is possible is the rural environmental protection scheme, or REPS. The latest version of the scheme was introduced in June 2004, and in addition to an average increase of 28% in payment rates, provides for payment of €200 per hectare for the first 20 hectares and €175 per hectare for the next 20 hectares and for further payment digression thereafter. Under the CAP Rural Development Plan 2000-2006, compensatory allowances payable in the disadvantaged areas moved from a payment per animal to a payment based on area. Under the new area based scheme farmers in the disadvantaged areas with a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare can qualify for payment on up to 45 hectares of land. At present, approximately 99,800 farmers qualify for payments totalling €231 million annually. This represents an average payment of €2,315 compared with an average payment of €1,523 under the old headage schemes. The smaller farmer has clearly benefited under the new scheme which will continue in its present format for 2005 and 2006.
In addition, support may be available under the farm assist scheme, administered by my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.