Vol. 428 No. 6
133 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have arrangements made for the appeals panel to furnish the results of the survey material to farmers in their own area in relation to the disadvantaged areas appeal process irrespective of whether they are successful or not so that groups can see for themselves the reasons for qualification or disqualification and as this will ensure transparency in the whole process.
134 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the criteria for tillage for the disadvantaged areas appeal will be more flexible in areas where four of the five criteria are met by the area in question.
135 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will make available to farmers who are seeking that their land be included in the disadvantaged areas appeal, an opportunity to meet the appeals panel to state their case and to give up to date relevant information before the appeal panel makes the recommendation to the Department.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133, 134 and 135 together.
The disadvantaged areas appeals panel is currently analysing data from the survey of areas which appealed their non-inclusion in the disadvantaged areas. Areas which qualify must satisfy all five criteria laid down by the EC Commission.
