John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason farmers in disadvantage areas are only allowed one payment per partnership in view of the stated policy of promoting milk production partnership by him to support the food harvest 2020 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27982/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under current EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme there is no provision for making more than one payment in the case of partnerships. However, in line with the need to improve scale and increase efficiency as identified in Food Harvest 2020, the Department is looking at ways to encourage more collaborative working,, including partnership formation, and is seeking to minimise any impediments to these newer models of farming.