Vol. 503 No. 3
259 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the changes which will take place in the operation of the farm retirement scheme as and from 2000 as a result of the recently reformed common agricultural policy; and the position regarding off farm income and qualification for the farm retirement scheme. [10112/99]
The Agenda 2000 agreement provides for continued support for early retirement from farming and includes some changes to the existing scheme. Under the new arrangements which cannot apply before 1 January 2000, applications will be acceptable from part-time farmers and the enlargement requirement will be replaced by a provision linked to the improved viability of the holding transferred. The new scheme also provides for possible changes in relation to the level and duration of pension payments.
Formal adoption of the EU Council regulation including European Parliament approval is expected next month and detailed rules will have to be adopted by the member states on the basis of proposals to be put forward by the European Commission.
The new early retirement scheme to apply in Ireland will form part of the rural development plan which my Department has to submit to the European Commission within six months of adoption of the Council regulation. The Commission will approve such a plan within six months of submission.
