Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
484. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that contracts are being terminated where soil sample analyses are late even by a few days, even though soil sample analysis can take ten days to complete and weather conditions can cause delay under the agri-environment options scheme. [17024/16]
View answerAEOS is a voluntary scheme and to remain in the scheme all participants must abide by the terms of their contracts.
Soil Samples are an integral part of AEOS contracts. The Terms and Conditions state that in the case of AEOS 2 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2011, soil samples must be taken between 1st January 2010 and 31st March 2012. This was subsequently extended to 31st March 2013. AEOS 3 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2013 must have taken soil samples between 1st January 2011 and 31st March 2014.
Applicants were then required to submit a declaration to the Department stating that the soil samples were taken within the permitted time frame and in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme before payment in respect of the first full contract year would be processed.
Termination of contracts have occurred where either the soil samples were not taken, or where a declaration stating that the soil samples were taken in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme was submitted, but subsequently found to be untrue.
There is an appeals process in place which can be accessed by any person who feels that they have been unfairly treated by my Department.
