Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance in relation to renewing the stamp duty exemption for farm consolidation by the end of June 2011 and if he will outline the importance of renewing the exemption. [17622/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, taxation measures are a matter for the Minister for Finance. I have written to the Minister for Finance in relation to the stamp duty exemption for farm consolidation outlining its importance as part of an overall strategy to encourage consolidation in the sector. Consolidation at farm level is important in the context of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy.

Apart from the stamp duty consolidation measure, a range of tax incentives are already in place to encourage the transfer of land, including:

100% stamp duty relief on transfers and purchase on land by young trained farmers;

90% agricultural relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax;

Full Capital Gains Tax – Retirement relief on farm disposals;

Rental income exemptions to encourage the long-term lease of land;

General stock relief, including 100% relief for young trained farmers;

12.5% capital allowance on plant and machinery and motor vehicles;

Capital allowances for milk quota – expenditure spread over seven years.