Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:210 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans for enhanced anti-pol lution incentives for the agriculture industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25871/03]
Written Answers. - Farm Waste Management.
In the context of the Sustaining Progress negotiations, a number of proposals for significant changes to the farm waste management scheme were agreed. These included increasing the income unit ceiling for eligibility under the scheme to 450, as well as increasing the investment ceiling to €75,000. In addition, a standardised rate of aid of 40% will be introduced for most investments. These proposals mean that significant grant aid will now be available to the vast majority of Irish farmers who need to carry out anti-pollution works. These changes require EU approval before they can be implemented and the regional assemblies have written to the Commission seeking this. In the meantime, I have already made a number of significant increases to the standard costs. They are used to calculate grant aid under the FWM scheme. This ensures that the grant aid approved accurately reflects the cost farmers must bear in carrying out antipollution works.
Farmers taking part in the REP scheme must follow a nutrient management plan prepared for the total area of the farm and to protect and maintain all watercourses and wells. They may use herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers in and around hedgerows, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams only with specific consent from my Department. At present some 38,000 farmers are participating in this measure. I will shortly make proposals to the European Commission for changes to the REP scheme. They will attract more farmers to the scheme with a corresponding benefit to the environment.