Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
169. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the problems under the organic farming scheme and the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, where a farmer may have 12 ha but cannot receive two different payments on the same ground regarding the double payment issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12751/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Organic Farming Scheme and the GLAS Scheme are both measures included in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020. In developing these schemes I am obliged to respect all EU Regulatory provisions, one of which is to ensure that similar actions are not paid twice under both schemes. During the negotiations with the European Commission, which were long and protracted, the issue of protecting against double funding across both these Schemes was emphasised at every stage of the process. However, it is not correct to say that a farmer cannot receive a GLAS payment and an Organic payment on the same land parcel. This is allowed where the commitments under both schemes are mutually exclusive and there is clearly no risk of double payment involved. The Organic payment is allowed with the GLAS payment for the following actions:
- Additional New Hedgerow Establishment
- Arable Grass Margins
- Bat Nest Boxes
- Bird Nest Boxes
- Conservation of Solitary Bees (Boxes)
- Conservation of Solitary Bees (Sand)
- Conservation of Private Natura Sites
- Coppicing of Hedgerows
- Green Cover Establishment from a Sown Crop
- Laying of Hedgerows
- Low Emission Slurry Spreading
- Minimum Tillage
- Protection and Maintenance of Archaeological Monuments (Grassland)
- Protection of Watercourses from Bovines
- Rare Breeds
- Traditional Dry Stone Wall Maintenance
- Traditional Orchards
In addition, it is important to note that GLAS is not a whole farm scheme. Organic farmers are in a unique position to benefit significantly under both schemes, receiving priority access to GLAS under Tier 1 and drawing substantial payment from both schemes across their holding as a whole.
