Jackie Cahill
Question:677. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current stocking rate to qualify for ANC payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22703/21]
View answerWednesday, 5 May 2021
Questions (677, 678)
Jackie Cahill
Question:678. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current qualifying stocking rate for ANC payments can be achieved with horses only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22704/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 677 and 678 together.
Under the terms and conditions of the 2021 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, applicants are required to meet a minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for their area declared under the 2021 ANC Scheme. The following animals may be considered, providing the relevant eligibility criteria are met - cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and deer.
In addition to this minimum stocking density requirement, applicants must also satisfy a retention period requirement. For the 2021 scheme, this required retention period is seven consecutive months within the calendar year where the stocking density on the holding has to be equal to or greater than 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare.
The relevant livestock unit values that apply to these animals are set out below.
|
Type of animal |
Livestock Unit value |
|
Female or male cattle over two years old |
1.0 livestock unit each |
|
Female or male cattle two years old or under |
0.6 livestock unit each |
|
Female or male sheep |
0.15 livestock unit each |
|
Female or male horses |
1.0 livestock unit each |
|
Female or male goats |
0.15 livestock unit each |
|
Female or male deer |
0.3 livestock unit each |
|
Female or male donkeys * |
1.0 livestock unit each * |
* Only 50% of the stocking density requirement can be fulfilled using donkeys. Applicants will be required to use other livestock to fulfil the other 50% requirement.
Question No. 678 answered with Question No. 677.