Grant Payments

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Questions (83, 84)

Seán Barrett

Question:

90 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are intentions to link farm safety to cross compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22020/10]

View answer

Michael Creed

Question:

104 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to link farm safety to cross compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22012/10]

View answer

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 104 together.

Farmers in receipt of direct payments (Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas' Scheme and Rural Environmental Protection Scheme) must comply with a total of 18 Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) in the areas of Environment, Public, Animal and Plant Health, and Animal Welfare. This is known as cross-compliance. Any change to the existing cross-compliance arrangements would require an amendment to the relevant Council Regulation following a proposal from the European Commission. No such proposal has been made by the Commission.