Single Payment Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (731)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

735 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers may declare riparian zone as they did in the past as other and in claimed area for SPS managed as in the past not topped, having no such specification as to top in REPS 1, 2, 3; declare riparian zone as they did in the past as other and in claimed area for SPS topping as topping is very difficult due to topography of grassland zone; graze the riparian zone as they did pre-REPS, change designation from other to forage in SPS and manage grassland in GAEC; do any of the above or are they limited in their choice to retain land eligibility for SPS; if landscaping around the farmyard option 8a REPS 3 — trees planted eligible for SPS in 2012. [26360/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

Applicants under the Single Payment Scheme, who are former participants in REPS, who wish to continue to maintain Riparian Zones, will continue to benefit on these areas under SPS, provided they are maintained as heretofore, in accordance with REPS requirements. With regard to the landscaping issue as described, such areas are not eligible under the Single Payment Scheme.