Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the 17% cut in REP scheme payments, he plans to reduce or change the terms and conditions of the scheme to compensate farmers for the reduction in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26081/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The withdrawal of the planned 17% increase in REPS 4 payments was necessitated by the overall difficult economic and financial situation and the funding available to me in the 2009 Vote for my Department. My officials are in discussion with the farm bodies regarding the possibility of a commensurate reduction in a farmer's obligations under the Scheme. As this is an EU-approved Scheme, any such change would require the approval of discussions with the European Commission.