Vol. 531 No. 3
155 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his views on the penalty imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon for not constructing a slatted shed under REP scheme plans even though there was no grant available to him for such construction at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5549/01]
A participant in the REP scheme undertakes to carry out farming activities for a five year period in accordance with an agri-environmental plan prepared to conform with the agri-environmental specifications published by my Department. The agri-environmental plan is prepared by an approved REPS planner in consultation with and with the agreement of the farmer. Failure to comply with any of the measures set out in the agri-environmental plan and specifications is a breach of the scheme and may result in a penalty being imposed on the applicant.
This participant's agri-environmental plan required the construction of waste storage facilities by the third year of the plan. A pre-payment compliance inspection carried out on 20 March 2000 noted that the planned waste storage facilities had not been provided. In the circumstances my Department had no option but to impose the appropriate penalty.
The person named has exercised his right to appeal the penalty to the national REPS appeals committee. The committee is independent and its decisions are final. I understand that the outcome of the appeal will be communicated to the person named shortly.
