Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to reduce the compliance costs under the REPS 4 scheme as a result of the decision to reduce payments by 10% in 2012. [7210/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I remain committed to supporting farmers who choose to farm to environmentally friendly practices and to ensuring that these farmers are rewarded for their efforts. However, given the state of the public finances I had no option but to announce a 10% cut in the rate of payment to existing REPS applicants. This cut, which will apply to 2012 payments onwards is subject to the approval of the Commission. It is not proposed to alter the scheme conditions as a consequence of this proposed cut and compliance with the existing conditions of the scheme will remain in place for participating farmers.