Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2013
590. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stock density for farmers under the disadvantaged areas scheme for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49151/13]
View answerThe position regarding stocking density levels under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in respect of the years in question are as outlined in the relevant Scheme Terms and Conditions, as follows:
2009 Scheme: Livestock Unit Values
The following livestock unit values are used for calculating compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the entire area declared under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. You must possess, hold and maintain for at least three continuous months of the year the livestock required to maintain the minimum stocking level. The only exempted cases from compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare are applicants where a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework plan or any other environmental scheme for your holding requires a lower stocking level. In such cases the requirement to maintain animals for at least three consecutive months of the year will apply to the number of animals per forage hectare which is the equivalent in livestock unit values to that lower stocking level.
2010 Scheme: Livestock Unit Values
The following livestock unit values are used for calculating compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the entire area declared under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. You must possess, hold and maintain for at least three continuous months of the year the livestock required to maintain the minimum stocking level. The only exempted cases from compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare are applicants where a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework plan or any other environmental scheme for the holding requires a lower stocking level. In such cases the requirement to maintain animals for at least three consecutive months of the year will apply to the number of animals per forage hectare which is the equivalent in livestock unit values to that lower stocking level.
2011 Scheme: Livestock Unit Values
The following livestock unit values are used for calculating compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the entire area declared under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. You must possess, hold and maintain for at least three continuous months of the year the livestock required to maintain the minimum stocking level. The only exempted cases from compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare are applicants where a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework plan or any other environmental scheme for the holding requires a lower stocking level. In such cases the requirement to maintain animals for at least three consecutive months of the year will apply to the number of animals per forage hectare which is the equivalent in livestock unit values to that lower stocking level.
