Vol. 459 No. 4
82 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when the regulations in relation to the measure to tackle overgrazing problems on hills will be published in view of his announcement on 3 October 1995, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18359/95]
My Department is finalising revised guidelines for approved agri-environmental planners under the rural environmental protection scheme. The revised guidelines will give effect to the improved incentives to tackle overgrazing in designated areas, as well as to a number of minor amendments which are being introduced in the light of experience with the scheme. The revised guidelines will be circulated within the next few weeks. I am making arrangements to have a series of information meetings held in the relevant areas to advise the farmers in these areas of the improved incentives. These information meetings will commence in January.
I am confident that the improved incentives for farmers participating in REPS in areas designated as degraded will give the scheme a significant boost in these areas. I am also confident that the improved incentives in such areas will go a long way towards addressing the problem of overgrazing in these areas.
