Vol. 490 No. 6
13 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps, if any, she intends to take to address the damage being done to plants, birds and wildlife by overgrazing of upland areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10763/98]
Excessive sheep numbers have largely been responsible for the problem of overgrazing in upland areas, particularly commonly-owned areas. This problem is now being addressed in a comprehensive way by my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food, working in close co-operation with each other.
In order to qualify for compensatory allowances and premia payments on sheep, sheep producers with commonage land in areas classified by the Minister for Agriculture and Food as overgrazed, including commonages in proposed natural heritage areas, will in future have to farm in accordance with an approved agri-environmental plan drawn up either under the rural environment protection scheme, or arranged directly by my Department. These individual plans will comply with an overall framework plan for each commonage which will specify the maximum stock numbers that the land can carry, consistent with maintaining and if appropriate, improving the ecology of the land.
Compensation for any losses arising will be available for those in the REPS through the availability of increased REPS payments for land in those areas. My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, has recently announced amendments to the REPS. This amended package provides generous payments to farmers with land in proposed special areas of conservation, special protection areas, NHAs and commonage areas. Under the amended scheme, payments for such land will be available at the rate of £80 per acre on the first 100 acres, £8 per acre from 101 to 200 acres, and £6 per acre from 201 to 300 acres.
Those who do not wish to join the REPS can claim direct from my Department for actual losses arising. Independent arbitration will be available where agreement is not reached on the amount payable.
The preparation of framework plans for commonages will begin shortly, and individual farm plans will follow.
The new measures will radically change the way land in these areas is managed, with consequent environmental benefits, and both Departments are committed to ensuring that the new system works effectively.
