Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2012
15 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an appeal system set up for farmers who lost payments under the disadvantaged areas scheme; if there will be a maximum turnaround timeframe for dealing with appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28661/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy I fully intend to have a robust appeals system for those farmers who may find themselves adversely affected by the changes to the Terms and Conditions governing the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Specifically, all applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles offorce majeure or exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
Generally speaking, insofar as the rights of farmers to appeal decisions of my Department is concerned, the Deputy will appreciate there is already a well developed system in place whereby, in the first instance, a farmer is entitled to appeal a decision internally to an official of a higher grade than that of the officer who made the initial decision, with the further right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office, which is statutorily independent of my Department. Thereafter, should the need arise, there is also the right of appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Specifically with regard to the changes to the 2012 DAS Scheme, with the budgeted expenditure being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million, I decided it would be fairer to make the necessary savings by making technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria, thereby ensuring that the aid is focused on farmers who farm exclusively in DAS areas. It will readily be acknowledged that it is these farmers who are making the more significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:
To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;
To maintain the countryside;
To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems, which, in particular, take, account of environmental protection measures.
It is widely recognised that the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important one for this country, especially from an economic perspective, as it contributes to the support of in excess of 100,000 Irish farm families. Therefore, in proposing the changes in question, the intention is to better focus the Scheme, which is to the benefit of the majority of those farming in areas with recognised constraints, while at the same time attempting to cater for those genuinely prevented from achieving the revised minimums. Furthermore, every effort will be made to accommodate all active farmers who may find themselves otherwise adversely affected by the changes introduced for the 2012 Scheme.
