Vol. 521 No. 6
17 Mr. M. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new schemes for the control of on-farm pollution under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 are expected to come into effect; the changes in eligibility and rules of support which are likely for the current schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17678/00]
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, provision has been made for a scheme of farm waste management and a scheme for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards. A significant level of funding amounting to some £216.7 million has been allocated for these measures including £180.9 million for farm waste management and £35.8 million for dairy hygiene.
These on-farm investment measures will form part of the new regional operational programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the southern and eastern region. Clearance to proceed requires the approval of the European Commission. The broad clearance procedure is already well under way, as negotiations with the European Commission on the community support framework for Ireland, necessary to draw down the EU element of the funds, have recently been completed.
In addition, the various operational programmes required have recently been finalised and submitted to the Commission. The further negotiation process in respect of the regional operational programmes will follow and there is a formal EU Commission procedure for the approval of operational programmes. The procedure is complex and involves the provision of a considerable amount of documentation and detail. As this is likely to continue over a number of months, it is not possible to indicate at this stage, when any of the schemes involved will commence. I will be doing all I can to ensure that approval is forthcoming in the shortest possible time.
