Vol. 553 No. 4
51 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of popular walks in the Cork area have been closed as a result of a dispute between local farmers and his Department over payments under the new REP scheme; the steps being taken to secure a solution to the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13978/02]
The previous rural environment protection scheme, which closed for applications in December 1999, included a supplementary measure under which farmers could receive payment for allowing public access to their land for environmentally friendly leisure and sporting activities. EU Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92, under which REPS was introduced in 1994, provided for such payments.
The current REPS is governed by a different regulation, Council Regulation, EC No. 1257/1999, which makes no provision for payments for public access as part of the EU co-funded agri-environment programme. In recognition of this, my Department included in its proposals for the current scheme a provision for a public access measure as a state aid, in other words a measure funded fully from the Irish Exchequer. The Commission took the view, however, that a public access measure could not be allowed under the agri-environment title of the Council regulation even as a state aid. This ruled out the inclusion of such a measure in the current REPS.
Participants in the first REPS who are currently in receipt of payment under the public access supplementary measure may continue to avail of payments under this measure until the end of their existing agreements.
I am obviously very much aware of the matter raised by the Deputy. Unfortunately there is no possible solution within the regulations governing REPS.
