Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 188: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers in County Mayo who are participants in the REP scheme over the past four years; the number who have opted out of the schemes; the number of farmers who have had penalties incurred under each of the schemes during these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32452/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The number of farmers in Co. Mayo active in REPS at the end of each year is set out as follows:

Statistics are not readily available on the number of farmers who have opted out of the Scheme.

The numbers of farmers in Co. Mayo who have had REPS penalties imposed is set out as follows:

No penalties were imposed in REPS 4 in 2007, the year the scheme was launched.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 189: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the application of sanctions under the REP scheme in the west region is consistent with the standards applied in other regions in view of the number of inspections, penalties and appeals and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32453/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The risk analysis criteria for selection of cases for REPS inspection is laid down in EU Regulations and apply equally to all regions. With minor exceptions cases for inspection are selected centrally based on this criteria by my Department's REPS headquarters based in Wexford. Procedure manuals are provided to all inspectorate staff who follow a standard checklist when they carry out inspections. This helps to ensure that REPS is administered consistently in all regions and that sanctions applied in accordance with the terms and conditions of the REP schemes are applied impartially in all regions. All decisions made by the inspectorate are subject to a local appeals process and, if the farmer is still not satisfied with the decision, it can then be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.