Vol. 557 No. 1
166 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the terrible consequences resulting from the publication of destocking levels under the commonage framework plan as it affects Mayo farmers in particular. [21201/02]
The objective of the commonage framework planning process is to set sustainable stocking levels which will ensure the protection and rejuvenation of commonage areas that are at risk because of overgrazing, and thus secure the future of hill sheep farming in these areas. The implementation of the plans is an integral part of an agreement with the European Commission secured in 1998, under which farmers with commonage receive generous payments of up to €242 a hectare in REPS. Failure to implement the plans would jeopardise those payments. Farmers with commonage who are subject to destocking can either join REPS or apply for compensation under a complementary national scheme to be operated by Dúchas.
167 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will change the method of calculation used in determining the destocking levels under the commonage framework plan which includes lowlands and dormant shares, and which has effectively devalued entire farms. [21202/02]
At individual farm level, the destocking calculation is based on the 2001 quota, including any quota that may have been frozen previously. The total forage area available, including private forage land, is taken into account in determining stocking density on the farm, but the destocking formula is applied only on the commonage area. In a mixed farming system, farmers may opt to undertake not to graze their cattle on the commonage and have quota calculated on the basis of ewe numbers and commonage area only.
The commonage framework plans are being implemented as part of an agreement negotiated with the EU Commission in 1998, on the basis of which I can make generous payments of up to €242 per hectare on commonage land to farmers in REPS. Dormant shares are expressly deemed ineligible for payment under the terms of the agreement. The rules for implementing the commonage framework plans are as flexible as they can be within the limits of that agreement and no further changes can be made without Commission approval.
168 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the discrepancy between the stated expected level of restocking announced earlier in 2002 for the Mulranny/Ballycroy area, and the actual levels of around 70% as announced recently; and if he will take steps to rectify the considerable hardship being inflicted on those farmers. [21203/02]
Regrettably, the destocking figure specified on the framework plan in question was initially entered incorrectly on the list of destocking percentages published on the Department website. It has now been rectified to reflect the correct figure of 70.68%. Farmers and their professional advisers may, if they wish, verify the correct figure by checking the detailed commonage plan itself on my Department's website.
Under the rules that I have laid down for implementing the framework plans no farmer will be required to destock by more than 50% in 2003 and no farmer will be destocked to fewer than ten ewe quota rights. Farmers who are subject to destocking can choose either to join REPS, where payments of up to €242 per hectare of commonage are available, or alternatively to apply for compensation under the complementary national scheme to be operated by Dúchas.
The townlands included on the framework plan in question are Bunnahowna, Carheenbrack, Claggan Mountain, Derrycooldrim, Essaun, Glenamong, Glenamadoo, Glenthomas, Greenaun, Lettermaghera North, Lettermaghera South, Meenacloghfinny, Muingingaun, Oghillees, Rosgaliv, Rosturk and Srahacorick.
169 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will take steps to ensure proper compensation for all farmers affected by destocking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21204/02]
Farmers with commonage land have the option of participating either in the rural environment protection scheme or in a complementary national scheme to be operated by Dúchas.
