Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. Last year and again this year, farmers have been making amendments to their area-based applications. The Department seems to be instructing them to remove areas of scrub or rough grazing from their applications. As a result, people are losing their eligibility to entitlements in respect of lands on hills and in glens that are subject to normal farm practices. On the other hand, some land owners are burning scrub or gorse from their lands to ensure they are eligible. Such practices cannot be condoned in any way. The Department and the Government have to make sure such practices are not encouraged in any way. The Department's interpretation of rough grazing refers to land that can be accessed by cattle other than during a short period of the summer months. The Minister spoke about land that cannot be mechanically topped. Such lands should be taken into account. I ask the Minister to get his officials to re-examine the Department's interpretation, which is too strict, and to consider relaxing the regulations that apply to rough grazing land that can be accessed by stock in certain circumstances. The Minister should ensure the burning of such lands is not encouraged in any way by the Department.

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