Common Agricultural Policy.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2006

Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Ceisteanna (405, 406)

Mary Upton

Ceist:

424 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide this Deputy with copies of Ireland’s reports to the EU on the administration of the meeting standards part of the 2003 Common Agricultural Policy reform which helps small producers conform with EU standards and to adapt to the introduction of higher standards concerning the environment, public health, animal health and animal welfare; the dates on which these reports were submitted to the EU; the dates the EU’s reaction to these reports was received; and the details of that reaction. [42494/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

As indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 435 on 5 December, 2006, Member States are obliged to set up the "Farm Advisory System" by 1 January 2007. Farmers may participate on a voluntary basis and Member States must give priority to farmers who receive more than €15,000 in direct payments (Single Payment) each year.

This matter was discussed at a Commission workshop in Ispra Italy in September last. Prior to that meeting each Member State was requested to complete a standard questionnaire on the proposed operation of the farm advisory system. I will arrange to have a copy of the completed questionnaire forwarded to the Deputy.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

425 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment of the EU single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has not yet received payment under this scheme for 2006. [42676/06]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

An application under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2006. Processing of this application is now complete and payment is expected to issue to the person named within the coming week.