Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1992

Vol. 415 No. 1

Written Answers. - Set Aside Land.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

166 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline (1) the number of acres that have been set aside, (2) the amount on subsidies that has been paid to farmers as an incentive to take land out of production, (3) the duration this scheme is in operation and (4) the amount the scheme has cost for each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Dr. Woods)

There are two EC schemes currently in operation for the set aside of arable land.

Under the first scheme introduced here in 1988 a farmer is entitled to an annual premium of £86.25 per acre for land withdrawn from agricultural production for five years.

The acreage set aside since this scheme was introduced is 4,150 acres.

The EC premia paid over the last three years are as follows:

1988-89	£141,000
1989-90	£208,000
1990-91	£274,000

Under the second scheme — which is for the current cropping year only — undertakings have been entered into for the set aside of a further 6,000 acres. The premium payable varies from £46.57 to £51.75 per acre. The beneficiary will also be entitled to a refund of the co-responsibility levy for the marketing year 1991/92.

Premia under this scheme will not be paid until the autumn.