Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2014
15. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers may remove scrub from their land under the land eligibility programme; and if this land will then qualify for full entitlements. [20214/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the ongoing review of land eligibility being conducted by my Department some farmers may want to clear areas of scrub, thereby restoring the land to full eligibility. Those farmers should be aware, however, that in the context of CAP Reform, recent decisions which I have taken provide protection for the payments of farmers. In the first instance, a decision was made to use 2013 eligible land – or 2015 if it is lower – for the calculation of number of new payment entitlements. This means that the number of entitlements allocated to farmers should correspond to the number of eligible hectares on the holding. In addition, the total value of the new entitlements allocated to farmers in 2015 will be based on the total number of entitlements - rather than payments - owned by farmers in 2014. Therefore, there is no reason why such farmers cannot fully benefit from payments under the CAP Reform regime from 2015 onwards.
Having said that, it is open to farmers to remove scrub to restore the eligibility of land, although there are a number of matters that they must bear in mind when considering such a course of action. In the first instance, certain lands are designated as habitats under Natura 2000 areas, namely Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). These lands are protected under national and EU legislation. Where lands are so designated, scrub removal is prohibited without prior approval from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Failure to abide by the requirements could result in farmers facing penalties under the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). At all times, my Department has tried to assist farmers. For example, REPS farmers on exiting the Scheme are encouraged to retain newly created REPS habitats after the ending of the REPS Scheme. If they do so, these areas, which are referred to as “Designated Habitats” are eligible to benefit from payment under the Single Farm Payment Scheme and under the new Basic Payment Scheme from 2015.
For scrub removal by burning it is imperative to note that this can only be done at certain times of the year and in a controlled fashion. It is also important to state that there are very real risks for farmers and other land owners associated with uncontrolled burning. Setting fire to growing vegetation is not only an extremely dangerous practice, it can also be illegal. I would remind land owners and the public that it is illegal to burn growing vegetation on uncultivated land between 1 March and 31 August and asked all rural dwellers to be vigilant for fire, to report any suspicious activity to the Gardai and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires to the Fire Service.
