Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who were eligible for disadvantaged area payments in 2011, but will not qualify in 2012 due to changes in the stocking density; if he will provide a breakdown nationally and by county or region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14643/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced from €220 million to €190 million and in order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:

· To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;

· To maintain the countryside;

· To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems, which, in particular, take, account of environmental protection measures.

As the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is co-funded by the EU under the Rural Development Programme 2007/2013, it is necessary to obtain the agreement of the EU Commission to any proposed changes; my officials are involved in ongoing discussions with Commission officials in this regard and a decision is awaited. It should be noted that the proposed criteria may be subject to some changes following the conclusion of the discussions with the EU Commission.

As the conditions of the scheme have not been finalised is not possible to give a breakdown by county or region. However, it is intended that, should agreement be forthcoming, those farmers who do not qualify for the 2012 Scheme on the basis of not having achieved a minimum stocking rate of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 will be allowed appeal, with provision will be made for exceptional circumstances, including recognised Force Majeure. Provision will also be made for (a) those restricted by Environmental Plans and (b) new entrants.