Vol. 499 No. 3
193 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the origin of the regulations of fencing and stock density under the REP scheme; the flexibility, if any, in these regulations in relation to the imposition of fines imposed on non-compliant farmers; where the fines are payable to; and if there is an appeals mechanism on decisions of the local departmental REP scheme inspector. [2695/99]
The legal basis and administrative provisions for the implementation of the rural environment protection scheme are set out in the REP scheme document which is based on Council Regulation 2078/92/EC. The detailed requirements are contained in the agri-environmental specifications.
Each participant must comply with the scheme conditions and the agri-environmental specifications. Where non-compliance occurs scheduled penalties are imposed which may in the first instance be appealed within ten days to the local district superintendent of the Department and subsequently to the REPS appeal committee. Penalties imposed are generally deducted from the next payment due to the applicant.
The EU funds 75 per cent of the expenditure under the REP scheme. Member states are required under the terms of Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No. 729/70 to satisfy themselves that transactions financed by the EU are carried out and are executed correctly and to recover penalties imposed in cases of non-compliance. Sums recovered are credited to the appropriate EU account and my Department's vote in proportion to the rate of funding received i.e. 75 per cent to the EU and 25 per cent to my Department.
