Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 11: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grant aid which will be made available to small farmers to manage rainwater under the nitrates action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5652/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As part of the arrangements to enable farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates directive, I have sought EU state aid approval for a revised farm waste management scheme which shall include the removal of any minimum income requirements from farming from the scheme so that all small farmers can participate in the scheme. Under the current scheme, farmers must have a minimum of 30 income units, of which 20 income units must come from farming, to be able to participate in the scheme. I expect that the revised scheme will be introduced at an early date.

Under the revised scheme, such farmers will be able to avail of a standard grant rate of 60%, with 70% being available in the four zone C counties, for both animal housing and slurry storage. The maximum eligible investment will be increased from €75,000 to €120,000 per holding. I am also proposing to extend the scheme to new sectors, such as the pig and poultry sectors, for the first time. The technical specifications operated by my Department for the purposes of the scheme require the installation of adequate arrangements for the separation of clean and dirty water as part of the conditions of any new investment.