Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2016
48. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposed criteria for the review of the area of natural constraints to take place in 2017; and his timetable for the completion of the review. [21295/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.
Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. They have also been in contact with the Commission outlining the work. Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC. It is also envisaged that domestic stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
