Richard Bruton
Ceist:14 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers in REP scheme 1 and REP scheme 2; the target number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9081/03]
Written Answers - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
As of 28 March 2003 there were 10,146 participants still in REPS 1 and 26,968 in REPS 2, making a total of 37,114. The CAP rural development plan projected that there would be 70,000 farmers in REPS by the end of the 2006. While participation levels are currently some way below what had been projected, I am confident that they can be increased significantly by the end of the programming period. Some time ago I announced a consultative process on REPS, open to all stakeholders, on which I plan to base a set of proposals to put to the European Commission. I am encouraged by the number and diversity of stakeholders who have made written submissions during the first phase of the exercise and I believe that it will lead to a better and more attractive scheme.
However the merits of the existing scheme should not be minimised. By the time the first REPS closed at the end of 1999, more than 45,000 farmers had joined it. Since 1994 REPS has brought over €1 billion to Irish farmers and has made a very significant contribution to environmental improvement. It is a demand-led scheme and it is 75% co-funded by the EU. It is in the interest of the farming sector and in the national interest that farmers continue to join REPS. It is important to achieve the highest possible participation levels during the current programming period so that we are in a strong negotiating position when arrangements for the post-2006 period are being framed.