Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
334. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a derogation will be provided to farmers who were adhering to REP scheme plans and were unable to maintain areas of their lands and subsequently have been penalised for ineligible area in their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10455/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the Deputy’s question refers to the maintenance of areas listed as habitats in REPS farm plans. There are two issues here:
(1) If a farmer had an area designated in his REPS plan as a habitat he is required to leave it intact for the duration of the REPS contract. This area is eligible for a payment under both REPS and SPS. When the REPS period of a farmer, who had declared a REPS 3 or REPS 4 new habitat expires, he or she has the possibility of declaring that habitat as a “Designated Habitat”. This means that if the habitat is maintained, the area will continue to be eligible for payment under the Single Payment Scheme.
(2) Outside of habitat areas listed on the REPS plan there is a requirement that the remaining land will be maintained in GAEC (good agricultural and environmental condition) which includes ensuring there is no encroachment of scrub. If the area outside the habitat area is found to have reverted to scrub because, for example, of failure to maintain the land in GAEC, it will not be eligible for payment under SPS. It is not intended to provide a derogation to farmers if this area is not maintained.
