Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Questions (911)

Tom Fleming

Question:

911. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will indicate the position in respect of penalties of single farm payments and disadvantaged area scheme payments for farmers who spray or cut scrub and rushes and have a contractors' receipt for these works; if these farmers reapply next year and if these works are carried out, if they will avoid penalties; if he will provide details of the total number of farmers penalised this year to date throughout the country and the total loss in income to these farmers; if he will provide specific figures for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46499/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In order to be eligible under the Single Payment Scheme and other area based schemes, an applicant must ensure that all agricultural land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC). Issues relating to control of scrub and rushes must, therefore, be seen in this overall context.

Farmers can keep grassland in GAEC by conducting an agricultural activity on it, such as grazing, harvesting forage crops, or by topping. Grasslands continue to be eligible where it is evident that the stocking rate on the land is sufficient and, for example, keeps scrub and rushes under control and avoids their proliferation. Where land is deemed ineligible, this, in the main, is a result of the inclusion of ineligible areas/features and where it is not being used for an agricultural purpose. In cases where land with scrub or rushes is rejected, it will be seen that this is due to the broader issue of insufficient agricultural activity being undertaken on it to keep it in GAEC. My Department therefore does not maintain records specifically on the presence of scrub and rushes since the issue has to be seen in the broader context. Where a farmer undertakes remedial work to bring land back into GAEC, this land can be submitted in future years together with a map and supporting documentation detailing the remedial work undertaken.