Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the changes to the land classification process used by him for the agri-environment options scheme and REP scheme; if other State agencies have changed their land classification criteria; if land previously covered in REPS/AEOS has changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10777/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There have been no recent changes to the land classification system and the position is that only land that forms part of the utilisable agricultural area of a holding can qualify for payment under the Rural Protection scheme (REPS) or the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS). For the purposes of both schemes, the utilisable agricultural area is determined by the corresponding area declared under the Single Payment Scheme.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for the designation of Natura and other sites which are eligible for payment under REPS and AEOS. I am not aware of any recent changes in the classification systems for these purposes.