Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
512. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the conditions of the agri-environment options scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22297/13]
View answerUnder the terms and conditions of the Agri-environmental Options Scheme, a longer closed period and a later cutting date than normally apply in the case of conventional silage or hay meadows are required because of the lower fertiliser allocation permitted on Traditional Hay Meadows declared under the scheme.
Under the 2010 scheme (AEOS 1), meadows for conservation that are declared under the Traditional Hay Meadow measure cannot be cut before 1st July. Under the 2011 and 2012 schemes, the applicable date is 15th July. The restriction ensures that the environmental objectives of the scheme are met by ensuring that seeds from the grass species in the meadow have had time to spread and contribute to maintaining and increasing the diversity within the sward. Scheme participants are required to make hay on these meadows. However, when hay cannot be saved due to bad weather, the participant can make silage subject to certain conditions.
My Department recently extended the commencement date for the closed period for 2013 for the Traditional Hay Meadow option in AEOS from 15th April to 15th May in light of the recent bad weather and fodder crisis. I have no plans at present to review the requirement in relation to the earliest date for cutting.
