Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

This question relates to the agri-environmental options scheme, AEOS, for this year. Rather than providing the Deputy with a long dissertation on the REPS and the AEOS, I will outline the facts as I see them.

At budget time I stated I would like to introduce a new AEOS but that it would be targeted at a specific group of farmers. I have repeatedly stated those who are farming in special areas of conservation, SACs, or in areas in which restrictions apply as a result of environmental considerations such as those relating to ecosystems which must, from the perspective of EU law, be protected should receive some recognition. We cannot afford to provide an AEOS for everyone who exited the REPS in the latter half of last year or who is due to exit it this year. I want to put in place a much more targeted AEOS which will not be as expensive and which will target Natura scheme areas and SACs in order that financial recognition will be provided for farmers who are restricted in what they can do in obtaining a commercial return from their farms. This will require the putting in place of additional mechanisms to evaluate whether the type of farming engaged in is sustainable and in sympathy with the environment. We will try to keep the scheme as simple as possible in order that it will be easy for farmers to implement and for us to monitor. As soon as I have details of the scheme, I will pass them on to Deputies.

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