Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the proposal that farmers who lease commonage be allowed to apply for REP scheme payments. [34948/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Subject to the eligibility conditions set out below, leased commonage is already eligible for payment in REPS 4.

Commonage/grazing rights areas recorded in the name of the applicant on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) in accordance with article 8(2)(a) of Commission Regulation 796/2004 may be considered for eligibility provided the area on which payment is sought has been declared by the applicant on IACS in the five years preceding the date of the REPS application. The requirement for the five-year declaration by the REPS applicant on IACS may be dispensed with where a young farmer is approved for setting up aid under article 22 of Regulation 1698/2005, or where a holding is transferred under the Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming.