Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food if he will allow rough grazing to be taken into account when estimating the single farm payment and discontinue the policy that only allows arable land to be included. [12962/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that rough grazing is eligible for the single farm payment scheme and other area-based schemes such as the disadvantaged areas scheme and the grassland sheep scheme. The terms and conditions of the single payment scheme advise applicants, inter alia, that if they are to draw down full payments in respect of their single payment scheme entitlements, an eligible hectare must be declared in respect of each entitlement. In this context, an eligible area is land that is used for an agricultural activity and includes land used to grow cereals, oilseeds, short rotation coppice, miscanthus, protein crops, sugar beet, maize, fodder beet, turnips, kale and grass for silage, hay or grazing. Eligible land is all land that is subject to agricultural activity by an applicant. It may be used for arable crops, hay, silage or grazing by farm animals, for example, or the applicant may choose to top it on an annual basis.

Land that was declared on a 2008 single payment scheme application, gave rise to a payment and was subsequently afforested can be eligible in certain circumstances. If an applicant is not producing crops or animals from the land, he or she can choose to top it in order to maintain it in good agricultural and environmental condition, as required under the scheme. In the case of hill or mountain land or marginal land, or other rough grazing which cannot be mechanically topped, if the applicant wishes to claim the land under the area-based schemes, the only way to maintain it in good agricultural and environmental condition is to graze it with sufficient cattle or sheep. If scattered scrub is present in a land parcel, farmers are required to make a percentage reduction in the claimed area to allow for the ineligible area.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will look into the issue. I am quite familiar with the single farm payment scheme because we make an application in respect of our farm every year. I am also familiar with the types of land that are and are not eligible under the scheme. We have a great deal of clifftop land that is not eligible, for obvious reasons. If land is to be eligible, it has to be farmable land. It has to have the capacity to carry stock for grazing or rough grazing purposes, or to carry crops. If agricultural activity like grazing is not taking place on the land, the farmer is required to maintain the land in a reasonable condition. Topping may be required in such circumstances. If unwelcome growth is compromising the agricultural potential of the land, the farmer is required to deal with it. I will raise the issue with my officials. I was a little unsure about the point of the Deputy's original question. That is why my response was quite technical. If Deputy Moynihan wants to talk to me about the matter, I am available for such a discussion. If he thinks specific cases are being treated unfairly, we will examine them.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Absolutely. I thank the Minister. I would welcome an opportunity to discuss the matter.