Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 445: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he is proposing to take to prevent the severe distortion to the land rental and sale market resulting from the EU Commission proposal to set 2014 as the new reference period for entitlements under the single farm payment. [33190/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have advised farmers on a number of occasions that they should not rush into investment or long-term leasing decisions on the basis of the current proposals for a reference year of 2014. The provisions surrounding establishment of entitlements are very complex and will require detailed clarification. A great deal of negotiation also remains to be done in respect of this issue. I will continue to press for changes to the proposal to ensure that it does not have detrimental consequences for the land rental market. It is likely that they will be altered significantly during the course of the protracted negotiations that are ahead.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 446: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm when the sheep grassland payments will be made in 2011; the number of applicants on a county basis; the number of eligible sheep; and the value of the payments in each county. [33191/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Processing of applications under the 2011 Grassland Sheep Scheme is currently in train, with a payment target date of 8 December 2011. As processing is still ongoing, the statistics sought by the Deputy are not yet available.