Michael Ring
Ceist:164 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the change, if any, there has been in the qualifying criteria for the farm early retirement scheme, in particular in relation to acreage. [20353/98]
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
Following a review of the operation of the scheme of early retirement from farming I wrote to Commissioner Fischler earlier this year seeking agreement to certain improvements to the scheme including the replacement of the enlargement requirement with economic viability criteria. Commissioner Fischler has responded positively to my request and a provision in this regard is contained in the new draft regulation on support for rural development currently being considered in the appropriate EU fora in the context of the Agenda 2000 negotiations.