Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015
283. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria used by his Department's inspectors during inspections under the land parcel identification system to determine whether sufficient agricultural activity is present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10437/15]
View answerApplicants under the Direct Payment Schemes and other area based schemes are obliged to carry out an agricultural activity on the land declared for aid. The governing EU regulations define an agricultural activity as the production, rearing or growing of agricultural products, including harvesting, milking, breeding animals, and keeping animals for farming purposes and maintaining an agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation. In practical terms this means growing a crop for harvesting, growing hay/silage for use on the farm or for sale or grazing the land with farm animals. It can also include topping of the vegetation on the land.
All parcels of land declared for aid must be fully utilised by means of such agricultural activities. Where it is determined that land parcels or parts of parcels are not subject to an agricultural activity, they cannot be accepted as eligible for payment.
