John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

As of now, REPS 3 remains open. Farmers can still join that scheme and be assured of a full five-year contract under the existing rules and at the existing payment rates. While REPS 3 will certainly close in December 2006, it might close sooner or the rules might change. REPS 1 was due to end in December 1999 but six months prior to that date, the Commission decided that anybody joining it from then on had to undertake to switch over to REPS 2 on their first anniversary. This time the Commission has not disclosed its intentions but it would not be altogether surprising if something similar happened. Therefore, we advise farmers who intend to join REPS to get in as quickly as possible.

On the consultative process for REPS 4, the Commission has advised all member states that if they want to implement the new rural development plans for the start of 2007, they need to have their plans with Brussels by the middle of next year. Obviously the Commission is facing a very big task as not only will 25 countries send in plans but some countries with a federal or regional structure may submit several. For that reason, any delay in putting Ireland's plan together must be avoided.

Furthermore, we must do everything possible to ensure that the plan we put forward will be acceptable. If we are forced to change our proposals, there is every risk that the process shall not be finalised by the end of 2006. The closing date for submissions is 9 December and we encourage interested parties to make their submissions as quickly as possible.

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