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

Question 222: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when she will issue farmers with a copy of her Department's inspection checklist on cross compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8798/07]

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

Insofar as the Department's inspection checklist on cross compliance is concerned this is an internal checklist used for the 2006 inspections which was made available to the farming organisations and the farmers being inspected. It is not a document for completion by the farmer. This checklist is being reviewed as part of the full review my Department is carrying out on the inspection arrangements for the Single Payment Scheme with a view to simplification of the arrangements (including paperwork) where possible while, at the same time, ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements. The review of the inspection report forms together with the outcome of the Commission's review of the cross-compliance arrangements generally, will be fully discussed with the farming organisations before the inspections for 2007 get underway.

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

Question 223: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will ensure that farmers can receive their REP scheme payment and compensatory allowance on lands used to grow renewable crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8799/07]

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

REPS farmers availing of the €45 per ha premium under the EU Energy Crops Scheme will have their REPS payment adjusted to avoid double payment on the area planted to comply with EU regulatory requirements. They will, however, qualify for the 50% establishment grant and the €80 per ha national top up payment.

As payment under the Area-Based Disadvantaged Areas Compensatory Allowances Scheme is based on eligible forage areas i.e. lands used for grazing of cattle, sheep, horses, goats or deer, it will not be possible to pay this allowance on lands where bio energy crops are produced.