Commonage Framework Plans

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Ceisteanna (539)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

539. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to his proposals for the management of the 7,000 commonages across Ireland that seems to rely on all farmers using the commonage to agree on the number of ewes each will put on the commonage to ensure that the overall commonage minimums and maximums are maintained, the outcome when farmers cannot agree on the figures to be put on the mountain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51290/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Commonage Framework Plans, first published in 2002, have been reviewed to take account of the current vegetative condition of commonages nationally. This review which will replace the Commonage Framework Plans has been carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in co-operation with my Department. The review was carried out on a commonage LPIS parcel basis and sets a minimum and maximum number of ewe equivalents (EE) required to graze the commonage parcel to ensure that it is maintained in Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC). I am currently considering an implementation plan to take account of the changed stocking levels.

My Department is trying to reconcile the reality of commonages with the EU requirements of GAEC. I will work with the farmers, farm organisations and others to design a practical solution.