Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am sorry. There are different views in the different institutions. We have said in the Council that protecting permanent pasture should happen on a national or regional basis. If the limit on ploughing permanent pasture at 5% was applied on an individual farm basis, it could be restrictive for somebody who is looking to increase productivity, expand a dairy herd or, for example, putting in more land for feed barley and maize. We have agreement on that but the Commission has been slow to accept that. I suspect we will have some flexibility in that area.

It is a little more difficult on the EFAs. There will be a requirement on an individual farm basis but there will also be an opportunity for collaboration between neighbours within areas to contribute to an EFA that they may border. It is not decided yet.