Vol. 488 No. 1
114 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the special areas of conservation payments (details supplied) in County Sligo will be made on the maximum REP acreage in view of the lack of clarification and the fact that people are reluctant to join the REP scheme until special areas of conservation payment arrangements are made, particularly, as the maximum REP scheme acreage is 100 acres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5492/98]
A package of measures to compensate farmers whose lands have been designated special areas of conservation, SACs, was agreed with the farm bodies, in February of last year, subject to the approval of the European Commission. Compensation will be paid either through an improved REPS package, or through a national scheme administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Proposals on the revised REPS measures have been under negotiation with the European Commission. I am anxious to bring these negotiations to a speedy conclusion and I am hopeful that agreement will be reached shortly.
