Michael Ring
Ceist:238 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the next REP scheme appreciation course will be held to enable new REP scheme planner agencies to be set up. [13838/01]
Written Answers - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Courses for suitably qualified individuals who wish to establish themselves as REPS planning agencies had been arranged provisionally for April and May 2001 by my Department. A visit to a REPS demonstration farm by all participants is a vital element of these courses, and therefore they had to be cancelled as a precaution against the possible spread of foot and mouth disease. My Department will reschedule the courses as soon as it is considered practicable and safe, in terms of FMD precautions, to do so. Applicants will be informed directly of the dates.