Vol. 510 No. 3
33 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his views on whether it is fair and reasonable practice to ask farmers to sign acceptance of the rules and regulations of a scheme such as the REP scheme and commonage before these rules and regulations are published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22444/99]
Transitional arrangements for agri-environment measures, affecting all member states, were introduced by the European Commission with effect from 31 July. These arrangements require applicants entering REPS from that date to give an undertaking that their contracts-plans would be integrated and adapted to the new arrangements for REPS to be agreed under the rural development plan and programmes 2000-06. My Department has no option but to comply with the requirements of the commission in this area.
The original arrangements required that all plans which had not been accepted by 30 July must be accompanied by the undertaking outlined above. However, further negotiations with the European Commission have lead to an agreement that all acceptable plans lodged before 31 July 1999 can be processed under the terms and conditions of the existing scheme. The requirement that an undertaking be given by these applicants does not now apply.
