Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015
256. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if penalties are applied, under the single payment scheme, for the non-cutting of rushes on eligible holdings; when these penalties were imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9922/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplicants under the Direct Payment Schemes, including the Single Payment Scheme, are required to conduct a sufficient level of agricultural activity on all lands declared for aid. Such activities include the production, rearing or growing of agricultural products, including harvesting, milking, breeding animals, and keeping animals for farming purposes and maintaining an agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation.
The presence of species such as rushes or ferns does not lead to a reduction in eligible area where the farmer is maintaining them under control by carrying out a sufficient level of grazing. Furthermore, the topping of such species will normally be considered sufficient to maintain full eligibility. Where land is deemed ineligible, this, in the main, will be as a result of the inclusion of ineligible areas which do not have an agricultural activity being conducted such as grazing or topping. My Department does not maintain records specifically on the presence of such species as rushes in the Land Parcel Identification System database.
