Stocking Densities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2013

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Ceisteanna (208)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average number of livestock units per hectare on land broken down into the following categories, respectively, land not eligible for the disadvantaged areas scheme; mountain type grazing for the disadvantaged areas scheme; more severely handicapped land for the disadvantaged areas scheme and less severely handicapped lowland and coastal areas for the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54743/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the definitive position in relation to stocking density under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas scheme is not as yet finalised, I have provided data based on the 2012 calendar year. The following is the breakdown of holdings under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the average stocking density calculated under each of the different land categories:

Land Category	Number of holdings	Average SD rate
Mountain	23,397	0.64
More Severe	50,162	1.22
Less Severe	18,746	1.59
Multiple Groups	13,239	1.19
Total	105,544	1.15

The equivalent figures for non Disadvantaged Areas land are not currently available.