Vol. 400 No. 3
77 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the criteria for use of the appropriate EC directive whereby farmers are paid an allowance to leave ground fallow or without change of use; the areas in Ireland where this directive applies; the amounts paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The scheme for the implementation of the relevant EC Directive provides for payment of a premium of £75 per acre each year for five years for eligible land set-aside for non agricultural uses, left fallow, or used for afforestation. Half this amount is payable where the land is used for non-intensive grazing of livestock. The scheme applies throughout the entire country. Premiums amounting to some £165,000 have been paid in respect of the 1988-89 set-aside year, which was the first year of the scheme's operation.
