Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. First, I refer him to my earlier comments on forestry. I totally agree with him on the fact there is a massive challenge here and much of it lies at the Department's door with regard to the delay in licensing. There were reasons and backgrounds for that in terms of the change in legislation and the court decision which very much changed the level of input, particularly the ecological input, required to process a licence. As a result, that led to a backlog, which built up over the course of last year and certainly reached crisis proportions. There was a crisis response to the emergency legislation and also significant effort regarding the new project woodlands and putting in place specific work streams to try to address that. This work is still under way and has to continue; we must get it sorted. We are very much aware of that. We are simply not an acceptable position at the moment and everybody is making a massive effort to try to address it. That does not take away from the impact it has had on the sector. I certainly assure the Deputy that we are doing all we can in that regard. I have taken steps and we will continue to do all we can to increase output. Ultimately, the bottom line is that we have to increase the licence output in terms of felling, afforestation and road openings in order that farmers who apply get them in a reasonable timeframe.

They need to have confidence that whenever they apply, there will be a reasonable process in place to deal with their application. We certainly acknowledge that the position that has pertained has been damaging to that confidence and we need to address it.

I am very committed to ensuring the environmental scheme will be worthwhile and beneficial to farmers, as I outlined in my initial remarks. We are looking at a payment rate on 10 ha and it is the proposal we have put to Europe. The average payment rate would be approximately €4,700 on that, calculated on the basis of income forgone or expenditure accrued. There will be expenses because it is results-based and there is a charge to engage an agricultural consultant but we would still be talking about €4,700 to begin with over 10 ha. One of the key measures we have proposed to the Commission for consideration is the option of low-input permanent pasture for those 10 ha. That would be the anchor option.

Given that this is a pilot, the participation rates will be very much limited by what we can agree with Brussels, given the restraints of the transition period of the Common Agricultural Policy and only pilot schemes being allowed. For farmers, if the payment is €4,500 over 10 ha, there is a €260 average basic payment rate and under an areas of natural constraints scheme they could have €148 per ha, meaning the potential payment is more than €800 per ha before putting a sheep or a lamb or cow or calf on that land. That would be quite attractive and a good start for farmers and their families. I was particularly keen to ensure that all farmers, even those with 10 ha, could participate fully. Every farmer has the opportunity to make a significant contribution with measures relating to biodiversity and the environment. We must provide them with the opportunity to do that.