Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the scheme of assistance available from his Department for environmentally friendly farming practice on lands which have been identified as a habitat for the hen harrier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20431/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Farmers with land in areas which have been designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the hen harrier are eligible to join my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme, which has special provision for hen harrier areas. Entry to the scheme is voluntary.

Applicants for the NPWS farm plan scheme are provided with a list of approved NPWS farm planners. A farm plan is drawn up by the planner, containing a description of the designated lands, the current farming activity, a description of the habitats and species on the lands, the prescribed future management requirements, and an account of what is to be paid by NPWS. The planner will advise on all matters relating to the scheme including Stocking rates and grazing regimes, scrub and rush management, Adjustments to the current farming regime and Itemised list of undertakings and deliverables.

To be eligible for the scheme, a farmer must have either owned or leased, for five years, designated farmland and must be prepared to farm it according to the individual prescription as drawn up by the farm planner and approved by NPWS. Plans operate for five years and my Department pays for the preparation of approved plans.

In SPAs designated for the hen harrier, plans provide for the proactive farming of land to ensure protection of breeding and foraging sites. In return, participating farmers receive payments of €350 per hectare every year for the first 40ha, €25/ha for the next 40-120ha and €5/ha for the remainder of the designated land.

As an alternative to the NPWS farm plan scheme, designated lands, including SPAs, can attract payments through the Rural Environmental Protection scheme (REPs) which is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.