I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 533 to 535, inclusive, together.
The introduction of the Single Payment Scheme in 2005 has dramatically reduced the paperwork for farmers in applying for the direct payment schemes. In addition, my Department introduced an on-line application system for the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas' Compensatory Allowance Scheme for 2007 to facilitate the application process. Over 7,500 farmers availed of this facility in 2007. This year some 20,000 farmers have applied on-line.
Following a Commission review in 2007 on the operation of cross compliance, some legislative changes have been made which set rules for the non imposition of sanctions for minor breaches of the cross compliance requirements in addition to the possibility for a de minimus provision where sanctions up to €100 may be waived. The review also introduced a one-day availability rule for land and clarified the cross compliance responsibilities in the context of the one day availability requirements. The revised arrangements take effect from 1 January 2008.
My Department has also carried out a full review of the inspection arrangements and checklists for the Single Payment Scheme with a view to simplification of the arrangements (including paperwork) where possible while, at the same time, ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements.
My Department is actively engaged with the Commission and like-minded Member States to bring about a rationalisation of the cross-compliance arrangements. This issue will be further pursued in the context of the CAP Health Check. Specifically, Ireland is committed to pursuing indent 14 of the June 2007 Council conclusions which requested the Commission "to study ways of improving the coherence and practicability of the control provisions in the different sectors covered by the Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) for example as regards control rates and advance notice for on-the-spot checks". My Department is also pursuing general simplification of the Single Payment Scheme arrangements in the context of the CAP Health Check.