Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Ceisteanna (752)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

752. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 422 of 8 March 2018, the exact deadline given by the EU Commission for member states to submit eligible ANC areas according to the new biophysical criteria ahead of 2019; and the final date for Ireland to make an amendment to the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 to the Commission to ensure the new criteria apply to the 2019 ANC scheme. [12755/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Further to amendments introduced in the Omnibus Regulation the new Areas of Natural Constraint scheme must be introduced in 2019.   My Department is in ongoing discussion with the EU Commission in relation to this matter.  As part of these discussions, the EU Commission has indicated the objective of finalising the agreement of the new basis for the Scheme in advance of applications being made for the Scheme in early 2019.