Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015
350. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures available under the rural development programme to assist farmers affected by flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23096/15]
View answerThe new Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving a more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas.
The RDP has been developed on the basis of extensive stakeholder consultation, and while it does not include a measure directly providing assistance in the event of flooding, there are a number of relevant supports. For example, under the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) in the RDP, support is provided for a range of actions which can contribute to the stabilisation of river banks and may help alleviate flooding. These include Riparian Margins, Protection of Watercourses from Bovines or Small Woodland Establishment.
