GLAS Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015

Tuesday, 10 March 2015

Ceisteanna (270)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

270. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the recently announced green low-carbon agri-environment scheme and the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme+, the position regarding a farmer, part of whose land is designated for the protection of the hen harrier, and if it is the case that where there is one hectare out of a total of 30 hectares designated, all the lands will effectively be designated without the designation for the purposes of the schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10290/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

GLAS will be the main source of support under my Department for farmers with Hen Harrier habitat on their holding. Hen Harrier land is a Tier One Priority Environmental Asset and any farmer with an identified habitat will secure priority access to the scheme. The payment rate for Hen Harrier is €370 per hectare, and this applies all lands notified to my Department by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as Hen Harrier Lands, whether these are formally designated or otherwise identified as important for the preservation of the bird. Under the Birds Directive, Ireland is obliged to protect the Hen Harrier wherever it occurs and for this reason I was anxious to ensure that farmers could be properly supported for additional effort and income foregone, and that this would not be restricted to designated Natura sites.

However, I am also aware of concerns regarding the cropping of hay and silage for winter fodder within these areas and my officials are considering provisions to alleviate any such concerns, as has been done under previous schemes.