Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

My question relates to the greening proposals, in particular to turf cutting, when the Common Agricultural Policy was being negotiated. Was it flagged that along the line farmers could potentially lose part of their single farm payment if they cut turf? The turf cutters cannot establish definitively whether their single farm payment would be affected next year if they went out and cut turf in certain bogs. From doing some paperwork we have established the potential for a cut of 10% to payments but we cannot ascertain the definitive position. What is the situation under the current CAP? More importantly, what will be done to avoid this problem in the future in order that farmers will know what they are signing up to?

How will the greening proposals impact on turf cutting? I am not saying it is the be-all and end-all for everyone but for a lot of farmers it is their main method of heating their houses and cooking food. What does the Minister think of these proposals? How will they affect people who use turf as fuel? Will it affect people outside SACs or have knock-on effects on other designated areas?

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