Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Commonage Division.

Jim Higgins

Ceist:

142 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of sheep allowed for farmers who share a commonage in County Mayo on the basis of his Department's de-stocking regulations; the number of sheep allowed per hectare; and the graduated manner in which the de-stocking regulations apply in each case. [11108/02]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): The persons named are shareholders in Lettertrask commonage, for which a commonage framework plan has been completed with a recommended de-stocking figure of 81%. The implementation rules for the framework plans as announced in February provide that, subject to compliance with the polluter pays principle and the planner being satisfied at individual farm level that no higher de-stocking is required, sheep de-stocking will not be greater than 50% for the year 2003 and 60% for 2004 on any commonage.

At individual farm level, the de-stocking calculation is based on the 2001 quota, including quota frozen in the 30% interim de-stocking or under the first REP scheme. The total forage area available, including private forage land, is taken into account in determining stocking density on the farm, but the de-stocking formula is applied only on the commonage area. As all the persons named are participants in REP scheme they should contact their respective REP scheme planners who will work out the level of de-stocking that will be required.