Derek Nolan
Ceist:95. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if targets were met by the original charter of rights for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3450/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 27 January 2016
Ceisteanna (95)
Freagraí scríofa
I understand the Deputy is referring to the original Farmers’ Charter of Rights which dates back to the mid 1990s. Statistics in relation to that Charter are not readily available. However, there have been a number of versions of the Charter since then. Throughout the years, targets set down in the various Farmers’ Charters have been monitored by independently chaired Monitoring Committees comprising representatives of the main farm organisations as well as Department staff. The following table sets out the achievements in terms of targets met for the three most recent years for which the information is available.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Direct Payment Schemes 97% paid within targets Other Schemes 70-100% paid within targets |
Direct Payment Schemes 97% paid within target Other Schemes 80-100% paid within targets |
Direct Payment Schemes 96% paid within Charter Other Schemes 84-100% paid within targets |
Negotiations on the current Farmers’ Charter of Rights took place during 2014 and the first half of 2015. Therefore, Monitoring Committee meetings did not take place during this period. Following on from the achievement of consensus on a new Charter in 2015, a Farmers’ Charter of Rights Monitoring Committee has been established under an independent chair. This Committee is again comprised of representatives of the farm organisations and staff of my Department. This Committee, which had its first meeting in November 2015 and will meet again later this month, will monitor agreed targets and standards throughout the lifetime of this Charter.