Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The proposed new agri-environmental scheme, which is part of the amended Rural Development Programme was agreed by the EU Rural Development Management Committee in Brussels on 20 January. The Commission will now proceed to take a formal decision to approve it. This procedure is expected to take a number of weeks. The new scheme will be focused on the priority areas of biodiversity, water management and climate change. It will offer a menu of measures addressing these priorities from which farmers may choose provided that they complement the environmental profile of the holding. Details on the operation of the new scheme are currently being finalised and I intend to launch the scheme once the formal Commission approval has been received. Funding for the scheme this year is provided within the overall allocation for the year of €330 million for REPS and related measures and expenditure will depend on the number of applications received, the numbers approved and the measures undertaken.