Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 May 2013
347. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the forthcoming single farm payment advance disadvantaged areas, agri-environment option scheme, REP scheme payments are made at an early date in view of the current fodder and cash flow crisis by the farming community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/13]
View answerI am acutely aware of the financial and other difficulties being experienced by some farmers as a result of recent unseasonable weather, with difficult conditions experienced on farms last summer having been compounded by an extended winter.
In light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies, I announced, on 24th April, the allocation of €1 million to fund the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme, which is designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. In light of the continuing difficulties being experienced last week, I extended the duration of the scheme until 10th May. I also confirmed that maize silage is eligible under the scheme. I am pleased to note that since the introduction of this Scheme that significant quantities of fodder have been imported and are reaching those in most need.
In terms of EU payments, it will be recalled that my successful approach to Commissioner Ciolos for agreement to making an advance payment of the 2012 Single Farm Payment was prompted by the very wet weather experienced throughout last summer. Mindful of ongoing difficulties, I have decided that a formal request should again be made to the EU Commission seeking agreement to pay an advance from 16 October of the 2013 Single Farm Payment which, it being the first day of the new EU financial year, is the earliest potential payment date and almost 2 months ahead of the standard timeline. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme are scheduled to begin issuing in September 2013.
Under the EU Regulations governing all area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any agri-environment payment can issue.
2013 advance payments under REPS and AEOS cannot be made until SPS applications are submitted and validated and a cross check between the area contained in the agri-environment application and the SPS application is successfully completed. Successive EU audits have made it absolutely clear that compliance with both these requirements and EU Regulations must be strictly adhered to and eligibility conditions met before any payment issues.
While my Department commits to commencing agri-environment payments as early as possible, due to the requirement to complete these administrative checks, I expect that the 2013 agri-environment scheme payments of REPS and AEOS will commence in the final quarter of 2013.
Approximately 1,500 payments AEOS payments have issued over the last 10 days, while close to a further 600 AEOS payments valued at just over €1.3m is expected to issue within the next week.
