Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
521. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who have been taken out of the ANC scheme are informed of the reasons they have been excluded in order that they can mount an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6275/19]
View answerFurther to the completion of the review of eligible lands under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, which was required by EU regulation, my Department has written to all impacted farmers advising of the status of their lands under the 2019 ANC scheme. These letters included a form to instigate an appeal. The appeals form is also available on www.agriculture.gov.ie.
For any farmer who wishes to appeal the status of a particular townland under the 2019 ANC scheme, an independently chaired appeals process is available. Should a farmer wish to make such an appeal, my Department will provide full information in relation to the data underpinning the status of the townland in order that an appeal can be based on full information. There is no set closing date for receipt of these appeal forms but applicants should lodge their appeals without delay so that appeals can be processed promptly.
Applicants are also advised to ensure that they apply for the 2019 ANC scheme when they make their online application in the coming weeks.
