Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2013
196. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that many small farmers in western Duhallow are suffering serious loss of income as most of the area is a designated special area of conservation, they cannot plant trees, put up wind turbines or draw hen harrier subsidies as this scheme is closed; the way this issue could be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20625/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive, under which Special Protection Areas (SPA’s) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) are designated, is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Farmers can be compensated under the Natura 2000 Measure of Ireland’s Rural Development Plan 2006 – 2013 for farming restrictions related SAC and SPA designation of farmland.
Natura 2000 payments are delivered through the Rural Environment Protection Scheme, and more recently through it’s successor the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). The Natura payment rate under AEOS is €75 per hectare subject to an overall maximum farmer payment of €5,000 per calendar year in AEOS 1 and €4,000 per calendar year in AEOS 2 and AEOS 3.
