Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will reopen the farm improvement scheme to enable farmers in the middle of some developments to complete the work so they are fully compliant with the nitrates regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13075/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Applications received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007 are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. I have no plans to reopen the Scheme to further applications prior to the review in 2008 of Towards 2016 as provided for in that agreement.

The revised Farm Waste Management Scheme which was introduced by my Department in March 2006, rather than the Farm Improvement Scheme, was the principal measure designed to assist farmers to meet their obligations under the Nitrates Directive and a standard grant-rate of 60% (70% in the four Zone C counties) is available to farmers who complete investment works under that Scheme. 48,580 applications were received from farmers under that Scheme and, to date, over 40,100 approvals have been issued by my Department to farmers to commence work. This work must be completed and a final claim submitted to my Department by 31 December 2008.