Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
523 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set out the EU conditions on member states to open a new environmental agricultural based scheme each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27729/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgri-environment measures for the programming period 2007-2013 are provided for in Council Regulation 1698/ 2005, as amended, which sets out the rules governing the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Detailed rules for scheme implementation are set out in Commission Regulations 1974/2006 and 65/2011, as amended. In practice, all agri-environment schemes must be approved by the Commission and form part of the Rural Development Programmes submitted by each Member State and approved by the Commission. The Rural Development Programmes set out overall objectives, the measures to be implemented and funding arrangements, including the level of EAFRD funding.
Ireland's Rural Development Programme, 2007-2013, as approved by the Commission currently provides for agri-environment payments under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). Farmers with designated Natura 2000 land can apply for payment under the REPS and AEOS. Details of the specific measures or schemes for which farmers may receive payment are set out in the Programme, as amended. Where a Member State intends to introduce actions other than those already approved, an application to amend the existing Rural Development Programme must be submitted to the Commission. Whereas REPS was included in Ireland's originally approved Programme, AEOS was later introduced by way of an amendment to the Programme with Commission approval.
While Ireland's Rural Development Programme provides for the possibility of opening an agri-environment scheme on an annual basis, the opening of schemes and their format is dependent on the availability of resources. Due to the on-going situation in the national finances, strict budgetary constraints remain in place and, as a result, management of the limited resources represents a very challenging situation involving difficult choices. In this context, the re-opening of a new agri-environment scheme would involve additional expenditure by the Department. I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening AEOS later in the year having regard, in particular, to the budgetary implications and I will be making an announcement on the situation in due course.
