Vol. 510 No. 1
95 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the forage area declared in the area aid scheme will not be impacted adversely by commonage framework plans or stocking reductions specified by these framework plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21938/99]
Commonage framework plans set down the agri-environmental requirements for each commonage to avoid overgrazing and for the regeneration of degraded areas. To be eligible for livestock premia-headage farmers with commonage land will have to farm in accordance with an agri-environmental plan under the REP scheme or under the national scheme to be operated by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The number of animals stipulated in the agri-environmental plan will be the maximum number on which premia-headage will be paid.
