Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2010

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

Questions (529)

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

614 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the inspection regime being operated by his Department regarding the single farm payments and area based compensatory repayment is compelling farmers to have livestock on sensitive and designated uplands in the west and other areas; if he will assure farmers that they will not be forced to graze such areas in order to obtain aid under these schemes; his views on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4695/10]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)

Applicants under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme are required, inter alia, to have a holding with a minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the entire area declared. The stock needed to meet this requirement must be possessed, held and maintained for at least three continuous months of the year of application. However, the requirements under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme fully take into account the grazing needs of sensitive uplands situated in various parts of Ireland. Applicants, who do not meet the minimum stocking density requirement on the grounds that their stocking levels are curtailed as a result or their participation in a REPS Plan or a Commonage Framework De-stocking Plan, or any other environmental scheme for the holding are eligible for payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. There is no minimum stocking requirements for the Single Payment Scheme but applicants must ensure that the land is maintained in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition.