Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 494: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the criteria and details of the advisory service which farmers are to receive when they are in receipt of €15,000 plus on single farm payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27455/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 497: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to a proposed policy as reported recently in the press whereby under the modulation fund farmers with a single farm payment in excess of €15,000 will be entitled to avail of a free farm advisory service, the situation regarding this policy; the position of the Government and the Minister in relation to this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27529/06]

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

I propose to take questions 494 and 497 together.

Under the new EU Rural Development Policy Framework an advisory service providing advice to farmers on meeting cross-compliance requirements, which are compulsory for those receiving direct payments, must be introduced in Member States by 1 January 2007. The service will provide advice on meeting statutory European requirements in relation to the environment, food safety, animal and plant health and animal welfare. Participation by farmers is voluntary but priority must be given to those receiving more than €15,000 annually under the Single Farm Payment.

The body/bodies selected to provide the service must have the appropriate resources in the form of qualified staff, administrative and technical facilities and advisory experience. Detailed arrangements, including the level of fees to be charged, for the provision of the service will be considered in the context of the new rural development programme which is being drawn up for the period 2007-2013.