Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if an effort is being made at Brussels level to get an extension to the time for completion of the farm waste management grants in view of the difficulties that farmers are experiencing in getting contractors to carry out the work; his views on whether the EU Commission is prepared to give a period of grace up to 36 months from the date the scheme started; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20002/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The revised Farm Waste Management Scheme, introduced in order to assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive, was launched in March 2006 following the receipt of EU state aid approval for the Scheme. The EU Commission approval specifically states that all work must be completed by farmers under the Scheme by end-December 2008 in order to qualify for the grants available. The final date for completion of work has been very well publicised and I have no plans to approach the EU Commission to seek an extension of that deadline and all applicants were advised of the situation.