Michael Ring
Ceist:90 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can now get into the rural environment protection scheme. [24194/02]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
An official of my Department has been in direct contact with the person named to discuss all aspects of his application, which was not acceptable, and to advise him on how best to proceed with his intention of joining REPS.
Question No. 91 answered with Question No. 86.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:92 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself with the numbers applying under the new rural environment protection scheme; if the targets he suggested when the new scheme was introduced will be reached; if there will be sufficient funding in the budget for 2002 to meet those targets; his views on the reason there is lack of interest in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24196/02]
The rural development plan 2000-2006 sets out the targets for participation in REPS up to the end of 2006. While participation levels are some way behind target, I remain optimistic that they can be increased significantly by the end of the current plan in 2006.
My Department will have received some 10,000 applications in 2002 and the level of applications continues to compare favourably with any corresponding period during the first REPS from 1994 to 1999. There is adequate funding in place for 2003 for a further increase in levels of participation.
A number of factors have militated against a higher initial take-up of REPS. The foot and mouth disease crisis in the earlier part of 2001 prevented planners from going onto farms to prepare REPS plans. In some areas the volume of demand has been greater than the capacity of planners to deal with it. Surveys by my Department and other bodies have established that there are concerns among farmers about certain aspects of the scheme, including payment rates, the complexity of the application procedure and a perception that the level of inspections and penalties is higher than it actually is.
I have recently announced some administrative changes to REPS to make the application process more user-friendly for farmers and planners. I have also announced a consultation process designed to give all stakeholder groups a chance to contribute to the formulation of proposals on REPS which I intend to submit to the European Commission in 2003. In the meantime, I urge all stakeholders in REPS, especially the farming organisations, to do what they can to maximise participation in the scheme to ensure continued substantial funding for agri-environmental measures after 2006.
Question No. 93 answered with Question No. 76.