Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the potential for farmers here to be given derogations from the REP scheme to allow all year grazing systems for traditional breeds of cattle which can be marketed as organic. [34908/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The outwintering of cattle, which allows for all-year grazing, is permitted in REPS. With regard to organic cattle production, access to outdoor areas, preferably grazing lands, whenever weather conditions and the state of the ground allow, is very much encouraged by the EU regulations. Winter grazing, whether using continental or traditional breeds, must of course always be operated in compliance with the requirements of Cross-Compliance.