Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the EU Commission will be reviewing the operation of the premium allowed under the energy crops scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24599/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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While Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 provides, inter alia, for the payment of Aid for Energy Crops, at a rate of €45.00 per hectare on arable land, in respect of products considered as biofuels, Article 92 of that Regulation provides for a review of the Energy Crops Scheme. The Commission is required to submit a report to the Council by 31 December 2006, on the implementation of the Scheme, accompanied, where appropriate, by proposals taking into account the implementation of the EU Biofuels initiative. As the aid of €45 per hectare available under the Energy Crops Scheme has proven not to be sufficiently attractive in itself to stimulate the growing of such crops, at the February Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting I called for a review of the rate of premium and I am pleased to say that the EU Commission has undertaken to review the operation of the scheme.