Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: 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. [8795/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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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.