Denis Naughten
Ceist:22 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action he is taking to reduce red tape in agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9061/03]
Written Answers - Departmental Services.
I am fully committed to providing services in an efficient, effective and user-friendly manner and this has been highlighted in a series of customer service action plans. In that context, application forms and scheme terms and conditions are reviewed regularly in consultation with the farm organisations and have been simplified to the greatest degree possible. Considerable investment has been made in information technology which has greatly facilitated that process.
In order to assist applicants, the Department provides clear and precise details on entitlements and terms and conditions of schemes. Simple language which explains exactly what is required has been used in all forms and information leaflets. Where, because of the contractual nature of the scheme, the terms and conditions must be stated in strict legal terms, the main provisions of these terms and conditions have been summarised in plain language in accompanying guidelines or help-sheets. This practice will continue in the future.
The CMMS, cattle movement monitoring system, is also being developed on an ongoing basis to increase the data collected on bovines to assist applicants in their participation in certain schemes providing pre-printed details where possible. Information technology has been used to significantly simplify the application, administration, inspection and payment procedures. For the 2003 extensification scheme, the CMMS database will be used to establish the numbers of animals on holdings for the purpose of calculating stocking density for all applicants on the five census dates. Paperwork for farmers is thereby being further reduced in accordance with commitments in my Department's customer service action plan 2001-04.
In processing applications, my Department must at all times act in accordance with its obligations under relevant national and EU legislation. I would also emphasise that my Department operates an extremely efficient direct payments regime.