Martin Ferris
Question:386 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if farmers receiving the single farm payment are allowed to grow energy crops and receive her departmental grant. [31287/04]
View answerTuesday, 30 November 2004
Questions (333, 334, 335)
Written answers
Council Regulation EC No. 1782/2003 establishing the single payment scheme introduced an aid of €45 per hectare per year for areas sown under energy crops. The aid is granted in respect of areas where production is covered by a contract between the farmer and a processor, except in the case of processing undertaken by the farmer on the holding. Agricultural raw materials, with the exception of sugar beet, may be grown under the energy crops scheme provided that the crops are intended primarily for use in the production of energy products derived from biofuels or from biomass. In 2004, this energy crop scheme is in addition to the arable aid scheme. In 2005, the aid will be paid in addition to the single payment.
Paul Connaughton
Question:387 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there are grants available for the purchase of slurry equipment such as agitators and mobile slurry tankers; if so, if they are available only to farmers who are participating in the REP scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31289/04]
View answerMy Department makes grant aid available for the purchase of mobile slurry equipment, including agitators, under the farm waste management scheme. The maximum amount of investment in mobile equipment eligible for grant aid is €11,000 and the rate of grant is 20%.Participation in the REP scheme is not apre-condition for such aid.
Martin Ferris
Question:388 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers who have to date taken up her Department’s energy crop scheme introduced in March 2004. [31291/04]
View answerA total of 42 farmers have included areas sown under energy crops in the 2004 area aid applications. Provided that they meet the terms and conditions provided under EU rules for energy crops, they the will receive a payment of €45 per hectare in addition to their arable aid payment.