I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 213, inclusive, together.
Under the initial Financial Plan for the Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013 (RDP) an indicative amount of €528m was originally allocated to Natura 2000. The Natura 2000 measure provides for compensation to farmers for disadvantages in their farming activities arising out of 3 Directives – the Habitats Directive, the Wild Birds Directive and the Water Framework Directive. Under the 2007-2013 RDP, Natura 2000 is linked to both the REPS and AEOS agri-environment schemes, and applicants with Natura designated land are prioritised under AEOS.
Participation in agri-environment schemes, including Natura, is voluntary on the part of farmers and expenditure is therefore demand led. Actual demand under the Natura measure during the 2007 – 2013 Programme proved to be significantly less than had been provided for. Therefore, the financial provision for Natura was revised to reflect the actual spend as the programming period progressed. This involved the reallocation of funds across the agri-environment and Less Favoured Areas schemes in Axis 2 of the RDP without changing the overall spend under that Axis.
The members of the Rural Development Programme Monitoring Committee were informed of the proposed amendments to the RDP Financial Plan in April 2013 and asked for observations. The issue was included on the agenda of a RDP Monitoring Committee meeting in July 2013, where it was discussed and the amendments agreed by those present. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is a member of this Monitoring Committee, as are the representative farming organisations. While the National Parks and Wildlife Service has expressed concerns in writing in relation to this matter, the amendment to the RDP was agreed by the Monitoring Committee in full accordance with the regulatory and legislative process in place.
In relation to the reference in the Indecon Report to a new Natura 2000 scheme, this refers to the introduction of the new Natura Scheme linked to the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) as part of the “Health Check” review of the Common Agricultural Policy in 2010. However, it should be noted that while these new Schemes were introduced following the allocation of additional “Health Check” European funding, payments continued to issue under the existing REPS and Natura 2000.
While money was transferred from the Natura measure in 2013, it should be noted that expenditure under the agri-environment budget measures in the 2007-2013 RDP also complemented and incentivised farmers with Natura land to engage with the agri-environment scheme.
In the new 2014-2020 RDP, Natura land is deemed a Priority Environmental Asset under the recently launched GLAS agri-environment scheme and thus expenditure on Natura lands will be continued and enhanced in the new programming period. In addition, the new 2014-2020 RDP contains a central focus on environmental and sustainability challenges across its schemes and supports. This continued investment in environmental sustainability in the agri-food sector has and will continue to complement initiatives such as Origin Green in enhancing Ireland’s green reputation as a producer of high quality produce.