Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2013
580. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the single farm payment rates were calculated for the period 2007 to 2013; and the formulae that were used for each of the following sectors, dairy, beef, sheep and arable. [24040/13]
View answerGenerally, the Single Payment Scheme is applicable to farmers who actively farmed during all or any of the three reference years 2000, 2001, and 2002, who were paid Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid payments in one or more of those years and for whom Single Payment entitlements were therefore established. In order to remain eligible, they, or their successors, must continue to farm.
Other farmers, including new entrants to farming since the reference period, are also eligible for the Single Payment Scheme where they have received entitlements from the National Reserve or by way of a transfer. The Scheme also includes payment to dairy farmers who benefited from the decoupled Dairy Premium in 2005 and includes compensation for growers of Sugar Beet during the 2001, 2002 and 2004 reference period.
Rates of entitlement per hectare are thus calculated on an individual farmer basis, reflecting the principles outlined above.
Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), the Afforestation Premium Scheme and farm support schemes, such as the On-Farm Investment, are not included in the Single Payment.
