Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Questions (195)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

195. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason persons applying for the agri-environment options scheme have to submit the original equine passports to the Department's offices in County Wexford; the reason a stamped copy, stamped at the local veterinary office, will not suffice for the purposes of the AEOS in view of the fact that many persons are reluctant to post equine passports to County Wexford because of the risk of the passports going astray and also because of the delay in returning these passports to them, which could prevent a possible sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51778/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Agri-environmental Options Scheme is co-funded by the EU and as such is governed by EU rules and regulations and so all payments made under the scheme are subject to comprehensive administrative check and validations to ensure that payments are issued in accordance with all scheme conditions. This includes verification that the claimant owns the animals in question in the case of payments under the Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources (Rare Breeds). Examination of equine passports is the means of verification in this case. Scheme participants can submit original documentation which will be returned by the Department but arrangements are now being made to accept copies certified by Teagasc, REPS planners or local offices of the Department.