Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the source from which his Department receives the satellite photographs used in departmental inspections of farms. [45717/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the legislation, domestic or EU, under which the use of satellite photographs as evidence in farm inspections is based. [45841/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 246 together.

The EU Commission provides the satellite imagery used for eligibility inspections by way of Remote Sensing. Satellite inspections are carried out for the control of eligibility of the area-based schemes in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 796/2004 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of the Single Payment Scheme and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1973/2004 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of further support schemes, including the Energy Crops Scheme and the Protein Crop Premium. The inspections are carried out in accordance with Common Technical Specifications for the application of satellite inspections specified by the EU Commission each Scheme year.