Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2016
644. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for SAC farmland in terms of recent cuts to GLAS; the future EU funding for SAC farmland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34664/16]
View answerThere have not been any cuts to the GLAS scheme. On the contrary I recently launched a third tranche of GLAS (GLAS 3) with a view to increasing participation levels from the 38,000 farmers approved into the Scheme under GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 to at least 50,000 in 2017.
Farmers with designated SAC farmland who apply for GLAS are given priority access to the scheme.
The Burren Farming Programme, a locally led Agri-Environment scheme (LLAES), also supports farmers with SAC land and further LLAES, including additional support for designated Hen Harrier areas, will be rolled out by my Department as part of the current Rural Development Programme.
