Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 6

Written Answers. - Agricultural Schemes.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

76 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new REPS, early retirement, farm waste management-dairy hygiene and installation aid schemes will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17832/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The new REPS and early retirement schemes are included in Ireland's CAP rural development plan for the period 2000 to 2006. This plan, which also includes measures on compensatory allowances and forestry, was submitted to the European Commission at the end of December 1999.

Negotiations with the Commission began in March and are now in their final stage. Following the completion of these negotiations a standard formal procedure for approval of all plans has to take place and, by its nature, this exercise involves a considerable amount of detail and documentation. It is my objective to ensure that approval is forthcoming in the shortest possible time but it is too early at this stage to give any concrete dates for the likely commencement of the new REPS and early retirement scheme.

Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, a provision of £180.9 million has been made for a scheme of farm waste management and £65.6 million has been allocated for the improve ment of dairy hygiene standards and installation aid schemes. These measures will form part of the new regional operational programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the southern and eastern region. The programmes have been submitted to the European Commission for approval. The negotiation process with the European Commission is expected to take a number of months and, consequently, the measures are unlikely to come on stream until later in the year. In the meantime, it is intended that the national scheme for the control of farm pollution will remain in operation and open to applicants.