Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
341. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the presence of heather in grazing land results in that land being ineligible for payment under the new green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarmers opting for any action under the GLAS scheme are required to respect the management requirements set out in the detailed Specifications accompanying the scheme. These vary extensively across the different actions, and in many cases the presence of heather would be immaterial. However, one of the main actions for grazing land under GLAS is ‘Low Input Permanent Pasture’, which is designed to preserve and enhance old pasture-lands, and in this case heather cannot be present in the area selected for the delivery of this action. The presence of heather is allowable on lands grazed as commonage, however, and can also be an acceptable component on hen harrier lands in certain circumstances.
