Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to amend qualification for the single farm payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14164/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with Article 33 (1) of European Council Regulation 1782/2003 governing the single payment scheme, farmers shall have access to the scheme if they have been granted a payment in the reference period under any livestock premia and or arable aid schemes; they have received a holding or part of the holding by way of inheritance, from a farmer who met the conditions referred to; or they have received a payment entitlement from the national reserve or by transfer. Since the rules governing the eligibility to the single payment are already prescribed under EU legislation, my Department has no authority to amend them.

The agreement of the mid-term review of Agenda 2000 was a balanced one which addressed Ireland's principle objectives. Amongst these objectives was the preservation of the financial benefits achieved under the Agenda 2000 agreement and the establishment of a policy framework that will allow farmers and the agrisector the flexibility to adapt to evolving consumer and market demands.