Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Ceisteanna (519)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

519. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the existing areas that are currently designated as an eligible area under the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme by reference to new biophysical criteria by 2018 that have been identified as being ineligible following technical mapping work carried out to date by his Department, by county in tabular form; the number of farmers currently enrolled in the ANC sheme who have been provisionally observed as having ineligible areas under the new criteria following mapping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28302/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Article 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.  Officials have also been in contact with the Commission to discuss technical issues arising. 

Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC.  It is envisaged that domestic stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.