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Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Questions (286, 287)

Michael Lowry

Question:

286. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, if the total LPIS area under which GLAS actions are attached are excluded from afforestation opportunity for the applicant; if such applicants are forced to pay back the monies received on the actions under the GLAS in cases in which they wish or need to afforest parcels attached or under the terms and conditions of the GLAS scheme; his views on whether this serves as a major disincentive to afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28982/21]

View answer

Michael Lowry

Question:

287. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 191 and 192 of 19 May 2021, if LPIS plots or parcels in GLAS are not available for afforestation opportunities for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28983/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.

The afforestation and GLAS schemes are voluntary schemes intended to provide options to farmers to maximise the contribution of their land to the environment and to improve their income.

GLAS is implemented under the provisions of EU Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013. Section 12 of the GLAS terms and conditions outline that afforestation is fully compatible with GLAS and is recognised as contributing to the creation of a valuable landscape mosaic at farm-level. It is also important to note that GLAS is not a whole-of-farm scheme and that afforestation opportunities continue to exist for GLAS participants on parcels that do not contain GLAS actions. Of course, it is not possible to engage in some GLAS actions and plant afforestation on the same parcel of land at the same time.

GLAS participants are obliged by contract to maintain their GLAS actions for their full contract term. Where changes in land use impact negatively on the delivery of GLAS actions during the course of a GLAS contract, recoupment may apply.

Question No. 287 answered with Question No. 286.
Question No. 288 answered with Question No. 283.
Question No. 289 answered with Question No. 280.
Question No. 290 answered with Question No. 278.
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