Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the decrease of €19 million to the REP scheme in recent times, the incentives that now exist to encourage farmers to use environmentally-friendly work practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2873/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department continues to implement the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 4) and the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) as agri-environment measures under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. The schemes are designed to encourage farmers to go beyond basic good farming practice and to farm in a way that benefits the landscape, biodiversity and water quality. Both schemes have proven to be very popular with Irish farmers and confirms their commitment to farming to the highest environmental standards, a commitment that fits very comfortably with the vision of smart, green, growth as set out in my Department's Food Harvest 2020 strategy statement. There are over 46,000 participating farmers in both schemes.

Although the REPS scheme closed to new applicants on 9 July 2009, it was replaced by the more targeted AEOS in 2010 and 2011. My Department's ongoing commitment to agri-environment schemes is highlighted by the fact that since they were introduced in 1994 over €3.5 billion has been paid through these schemes to Irish farmers.

Despite the cut of €19 million in funding for REPS 4 which I recently announced due to the financial pressures facing my Department, I have made provision in 2012 for €243 million under agri-environment schemes. I am also considering the possibility of re-opening AEOS on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. This decision will be taken in the context of my Department's expenditure ceiling for 2013 as agreed by the Government, and in particular, on how a new scheme might be funded within the reduced funding and resulting pressures on the Vote. I will make an announcement on this matter in due course.