Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 April 2014
142. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person who is already in the agri-environment options scheme can apply to participate in the new GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18103/14]
View answerThe proposed new agri-environment scheme GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) forms part of the new Rural Development Programme which must be submitted to the European Commission for approval. Work is well underway in preparing this submission. My Department is finalising the design of measures, taking account of the most recent round of public consultation, and the independent evaluator has commenced work on the preparation of the ex ante evaluation report, the strategic environmental assessment and the appropriate assessment which form an integral part of the development of the programme.
When the programme is approved by the European Commission the details of new schemes and implementing rules, including provisions relating to existing AEOS participants, will be finalised and published.
