Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will sanction the revised farm waste management scheme of on-farm grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8758/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The revised farm waste management scheme will be introduced as soon as the required EU state aid approval is received from the EU Commission. Subject to receipt of this approval, the scheme will provide for an increase in the current standard grant rate from 40% to 60%, with 70% being available in the four zone C counties; be extended to include horses, deer, goats, pigs and poultry, and mushroom compost; permit all small farmers to participate in the scheme by the removal of any minimum income requirements from farming from the scheme; and provide for an increase in the maximum eligible investment ceiling from €75,000 to €120,000. I am confident that the required EU approval will be received very shortly.