Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1168. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the EU policies that have resulted in the de-stocking of many hills over the past number of years which has resulted in areas becoming overgrown (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37186/13]
View answerCommonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, particularly along the West Coast. They also form an important part of the local environment from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and economic returns e.g. tourism. However, there is a substantial risk of land abandonment as under-grazing becomes more of a problem.
Under-grazing leads to an increase in ineligible land under Direct Aid and Agri-Environment Schemes and leads to risk of financial corrections being imposed by EU Commission. It is vital, therefore, to maintain the commonages in GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition), or where there is under-grazing, to return the habitat to GAEC. It is my stated aim that this will be achieved by working with the farmers directly managing the lands, relevant State Agencies, the farming organisations and all other interested stakeholders.
In terms of support for those farming commonage lands, it should not be lost sight of that support is already provided through a range of Schemes, including the Single Farm Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Grassland Sheep Scheme, among others, including environmental support measures. The Grassland Sheep Scheme and the related Sheep Technology Adoption Programme are particularly supportive of farmers with commonage lands, albeit that neither is specifically confined to those farming commonage lands only.
The Grassland Sheep Scheme, as originally implemented, was to run for three years: 2010, 2011 and 2012, with an annual budget of €18 million. However, as the Deputy will be aware, I was in a position to secure funding which allows the Scheme continue for a fourth year, notwithstanding continued adverse budgetary conditions, albeit with adjusted funding of €14 million.
I also decided to make funding of €3 million available for a new Sheep Technology Adoption Programme, which concept has already proven very successful in both the dairy and beef sectors, with a maximum payment of €1,000 per participant. It is important that sheep farmers take action to increase and maximise their income from their enterprises. This can be achieved by improving breeding, animal health/welfare and grazing regimes. The dairy sector has demonstrated that the discussion group concept to achieve such improvements. Notwithstanding the financial adjustment made to the overall funding to the Grassland Sheep Scheme, hill sheep farmers, who join a Sheep Discussion Group will find that the aid they will receive in 2013 will increase by almost €590.
