Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that moves are afoot to try and negotiate down disadvantaged status to just one criterion, namely soil quality; her views on whether this has to be vigorously resisted and is very serious (details supplied); the steps she is taking to resist any interference with disadvantage status; the other steps she is taking to ensure the survival of farming in Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4123/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Some 11,877 farmers in Mayo qualified for payments, totalling €25.6 million, under the area based compensatory allowance scheme in 2004. At present, all of County Mayo is classified as more severely handicapped under the current criteria for designating areas as disadvantaged: low land productivity, low economic returns and low or dwindling population.

As part of the suggested rural development framework for the period 2007-13, the European Commission has proposed new criteria for less-favoured areas. These lay emphasis on soil and climatic conditions. In line with other member states, Ireland has highlighted the sensitivity of this issue. Ireland has also sought clarification on the Commission's intentions. A promised Commission clarification paper is due towards the end of February. I will seek to ensure that all of Mayo's farmers continue to benefit to the maximum extent possible under the area-based compensatory allowance scheme.