Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2013

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Ceisteanna (504)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

504. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, under his proposals for Common Agricultural Policy reform, farmers who were previously precluded from receiving remuneration for afforestation on their land prior to 2005 will receive any remuneration for afforestation via direct payments or annual premiums under the new CAP regime; if not, if he will consider making financial provision for farmers with afforested land under the greening element of the new CAP, or if he has any proposals to introduce a carbon sequestration payment for farmers whose land has been afforested for more than ten years thus having a fully developed canopy and significant environmental value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30174/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on the 12th May 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The person named selected Form N on the application, indicating that he had designated Natura/Commonage lands. During the checking process on the application submitted, issues were identified in relation to the Natura Owned parcel declared which resulted in this action being ineligible under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. Without this action the eligibility requirements of the scheme had not been met and the application was rejected. On the 9th July 2012 a letter issued to the person named setting out this decision and providing him with the option to submit an appeal.

An appeal was received in my Department on the 2nd August 2012 and following a review of the file the original decision was upheld. The person named was notified of this decision on the 19th October 2012 and notified of his right to submit an appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. There is no record of an appeal from the person named to the Agriculture Appeals Office.