Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2015
114. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider providing greater flexibility in the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme for commonage farmers, with regard to how the minimum and maximum figures apply for each farmer who joins the scheme and for the overall commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26764/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset I wish to acknowledge the number of commonage farmers, 3,934 in total, who have applied to join GLAS. They farm on nearly 2,700 commonages, which represents more than half the commonages in the country. This shows a healthy interest in the scheme, which I expect will grow as subsequent tranches are opened. Commonage lands are recognised as valuable farmed habitats and as such are given the highest priority within GLAS. The Scheme aims to pay farmers who graze and manage commonages in accordance with best environmental practice. One cohesive Commonage Management Plan will be put in place by one commonage adviser and will cover the grazing and other activities of all GLAS shareholders on the commonage.
The GLAS approach to Commonages already provides for considerable flexibility. The Commonage Management Plan will be drawn up by the shareholders themselves working with a trained GLAS adviser of their own choice. The minimum and maximum stocking densities suggested by my Department for each commonage are open to change on the basis of the plan presented by the shareholders. Each shareholder must reach their own minimum stocking density based on the overall figures established in the Plan, but I have provided for flexibility thereafter to allow some shareholders to expand further and others to remain at the minimum level, if that is what they want, and if the overall maximum density for the commonage is respected.
I am aware that the task of preparing plans will be challenging. In view of this, my Department has held recent meetings with the adviser representatives and the farm bodies to surface remaining issues of concern. In reviewing this, account will be taken of all salient factors, mindful of the overriding environmental objective of keeping these lands in good condition and the need to ensure that the actions undertaken exceed the baseline for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme.
