Vol. 491 No. 2
100 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if a forestry premium can be paid to persons who are participants in the EU farm retirement pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11574/98]
Persons participating in the EU farm retirement pension scheme as transferors of land who decide to afforest part or all of any retained land are not eligible for a forestry premium in respect of that land. On the other hand, transferees under that scheme who decide to afforest part of the land transferred to them are eligible for a forestry premium in respect of the planted land.
Moreover, it should be noted that beneficiaries under the forestry premium scheme who subsequently apply to join the EU farm retirement scheme retain their right to forestry premium for the area under forest. The afforested land is not considered as utilised agricultural area and does not attract a payment under the EU farm retirement scheme.
