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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

241 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the basic level of REP scheme payment, which is made to farmers for ongoing works, has reduced in actual and real terms since the scheme was introduced in 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20161/02]

As a condition of EU approval, REPS payment rates must be justified in accordance with strict regulatory criteria. The EU regulations governing REPS provide that support is to be calculated on the basis of income forgone and additional costs resulting from the commitment given together with the need to provide an incentive. Good farming practice is the reference level for calculating income forgone and additional costs resulting from the commitments given, and the incentive element of the payment cannot exceed 20% of the costings. When proposals for the current scheme were submitted to the EU Commission in 1999 as part of the CAP Rural Development Plan 2000-2006, it was necessary to put forward detailed justification to support retention of the existing rates.

In negotiating the current scheme, my Department however secured an increased payment of €165 per hectare on holdings under 20 hectares, and the generous rate of €242 per hectare for land under Measure A, first negotiated in 1998, was retained. Under the new REPS, the average annual payment is €4,900 as compared to an average payment of €4,400 in the previous scheme.

I have recently announced a consultative process on REPS involving a wide range of stakeholders, leading into the mid-term review of the rural development plan in 2003. Full consultation and detailed preparation are necessary to ensure that any proposals on REPS that may be put to the EU Commission in 2003 are robust and fully justifiable within the terms of the relevant EU regulations. This process will cover all aspects of the scheme including payment rates.

Pat Breen

Ceist:

242 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason his Department is seeking long delays and bureacracy to cut back the REP scheme and onfarm investment schemes which are 75% funded by the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20162/02]

Both REPS and the onfarm investment schemes are demand-led and my Department is not in any way seeking to delay processing of applications. The processing of applications under these and other schemes is closely monitored under the protocol on direct payments to farmers by a committee which includes representatives of the farm bodies, under an independent chair. The targets established under the protocol for approving applications and making payments are largely being met.

I am committed to simplifying the various schemes where possible, bearing in mind the need to comply with EU and other requirements. Earlier this year I took the step of removing the upper income ceiling for installation aid, freeing up that scheme considerably. In relation to REPS, I recently announced changes to the rules on title documentation and the introduction of a simplified farm plan format for extensive farming systems. These changes will come into effect in January 2003. I had previously introduced new arrangements under which all REPS planners will be given the facility with the agreement of their farmer client to access and download land parcel information from the LPIS. I am satisfied that, taken all together, these changes will contribute positively to the scheme's success into the future.

I have in addition established a consultative process about REPS involving a wide range of stakeholders, leading into the mid-term review of the rural development plan in 2003. This process will cover all aspects of the scheme.
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