Vol. 573 No. 4
201 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider the case of a group (details supplied) which is seeking that entitlement establishment prior to joining the early retirement scheme should remain linked to the land they were established on, returned to the retired individuals concerned on the completion of the scheme and be transferred to a family member to be disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25801/03]
Discussions are taking place between my officials and the European Commission on the detailed rules for implementing the mid-term review agreement, including the decoupling of payments from production. While it may be some time yet before the position is clear, my officials have already raised and will continue to raise a number of issues relating to farmers who have retired under the early retirement schemes and the implications for them of the decoupling and single payment proposals.
By definition, retired farmers cannot activate entitlements earned during the reference period and the Commission's position is that entitlements should not be linked to land but should go to farmers who were active during that period. However they have also indicated that they favour arrangements under which family members who were not farming during the reference period, but subsequently take over a holding, will have access to the national reserve. My officials will continue working to secure as favourable an outcome as possible, having regard to the legitimate aspirations of all stakeholders.
