Written answers

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs

Commonage Division

9:00 pm

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to take account of the special circumstances of a small number of farmers (details supplied) in the Owenduff, Nephin Beg area of County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35021/11]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine administer the arrangements that regulate sheep grazing in the Owenduff/Nephin Complex SPA and cSAC. These arrangements have been in place for the past five years and terminated on the 31st October 2011. Farmers in commonages which have not recovered sufficiently to meet cross-compliance standards were notified in writing of the continuation of restrictions for a further two years (until November 2013) but at reduced levels.

I am advised that parts of the Owenduff/Nephin commonages are showing satisfactory recovery but approximately half of the SPA has not recovered to a sufficient extent to meet the judgment of the European Court of Justice in relation to overgrazing in this SPA. In 19 of the 40 townlands where restrictions previously existed the restrictions have been removed; in 14 of the townlands there is an ongoing but reduced restriction; and in 7 of the 40 townlands there is an ongoing but reduced restriction in parts of the commonages.

This new proposal will mean an increase in the numbers of sheep that can be carried on the commonages for the next two years, within sustainable parameters. This proposal also removes the capping of sheep numbers at farm level. Farmers can now increase their flock numbers on the in-bye land, provided that Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition standards are adhered to and commonage limits are not exceeded.

Compensation for losses in income, where restrictions still apply, will be paid through the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme and through top-ups to REPS and AEOS. These payments will be funded entirely from the national exchequer.

In summary, partial restrictions will continue for two years to deliver vegetative recovery in these commonages and to ensure that all farmers are compliant with cross-compliance and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition standards. The issue of financial assistance is being examined in the light of Departmental budgets.

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