Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 417: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce additional benefits for actions over and above the requirements of the commonage framework plans, following the European Court of Justice judgement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21815/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Overgrazing has led to environmental problems, particularly loss of vegetation and soil erosion in commonages throughout the country, including the Nephin Beg range and this is subject to a continuing infringement case against Ireland in the European Court of Justice.

Payments to farmers for destocking under Commonage Framework Plans were introduced from end of 1998 as an attempt to aid vegetation recovery in these areas. Initially, it was agreed that the commonage framework plans did not have to be implemented in full. A recent monitoring survey in this area, carried out as part of an intended wider monitoring of commonages, has shown that, apart from some small areas, there has not been satisfactory recovery of the habitat vegetation. Accordingly, it is now a requirement that the commonage framework plans be implemented in full.

It has also proved necessary to amend the requirements for the Owenduff/Nephin commonage by providing that it should be destocked completely for five months of the year: November/December, and mid-February to mid-May. Further monitoring will, of course, be carried out to check the rate of recovery. The costs of these changes will be individually assessed and appropriate compensation will issue through the National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme. The Department of Agriculture and Food are currently assessing the levels of compensation for farmers covered by the REPS scheme in this area.

No actions, over and above the requirements of the Commonage Framework Plans have to date been requested by my Department in respect of any other designated area or commonage. Accordingly, the matter of additional benefits has not arisen outside of the Owenduff/Nephin Beg area.