Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 82: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the parties or categories of individuals entitled to receive EU modulation funds; the amount of the modulation funds that have been made available to date to such parties or categories of individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9081/07]

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

In accordance with the decision of the Council of Agriculture Ministers and the Mid Term Review of the CAP modulated funds are provided by reducing single farm payments to farmers by 3% in 2005, 4% in 2006 and 5% from 2007 onwards. The sums involved are available to use for certain rural development measures commencing in 2006. For 2006, the potential use was limited to existing measures in the CAP Rural Development Plan — REPS, compensatory allowances, early retirement and forestry — and some new possibilities introduced by the CAP mid-term review — meeting standards, animal welfare, food quality and advisory services. Following widespread consultation, I decided that the €18.6m available to Ireland in 2006 should be used as an additional once-off payment under the compensatory allowances scheme, with some 100,000 farmers in the disadvantaged areas benefiting.

For 2007 onwards, the modulated funds — some €225.5m. — will form an integral part of the overall funding available for the 2007-2013 rural development strategy. A strategy and programme prepared by my Department address three priorities — competitiveness, the environment and the wider rural economy — and are currently with the EU Commission awaiting approval.