Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1048. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review rules setting the minimum and maximum agricultural activity for commonage in view of these rules impacting on the most economically challenged families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15138/18]
View answerThe legal requirements on agricultural activity with regard to eligibility of land, including commonage, are established in EU Regulation 1307/2013. My Department issued written guidelines concerning land eligibility in the booklet 'A guide to Land Eligibility Direct Payment Schemes', which was circulated to farmers in 2015. This booklet is also available on my Department's website: www.agriculture.gov.ie. The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) terms and conditions 2018 refer to the requirement to have “activity throughout the parcel”. These documented rules with regard to activity are required since 2015 and will continue to be required in 2018.
