Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2015
98. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department set a precondition of a qualification in soil science for planners operating the new GLAS; if he will reverse this decision in view of the fact that many very competent agricultural planners are being excluded from the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3209/15]
View answerEU Regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes require my Department to operate a Farm Advisory System (FAS) to provide advice to farmers on a range of issues relating to land and farm management. The regulations require that advisors are suitably qualified and regularly trained. In order to be approved as a GLAS Advisor, an advisor must also be an approved FAS advisor.
In determining the level of educational qualifications required to be a FAS/GLAS advisor, my Department must ensure that such qualifications are of an appropriate standard to meet the objectives and the requirements of the various schemes, and the associated governing legislation, on which advice is being provided. Advisors must be qualified to interpret soil tests, understand the requirements of all schemes and understand constraints of land management imposed by various land designations. Furthermore, advisors must be in a position to translate this knowledge into detailed management plans and to advise farmers not only on the schemes requirements but also on their farm operations.
In order to ensure that advisors meet the requirements outlined above, my Department requires that all advisors must have attained a FETAC Level 8 Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Science/Land Management in Agriculture and must have taken soil science and an animal or crop production subject to a level 8 degree standard.
