Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately reopen a new agri environment options scheme to allow farmers whose REP scheme contracts have already expired to continue to improve their farms in an environmentally friendly manner; if he will recognise the importance of the scheme to many farmers on low incomes who have already been hit with cuts to other farm income supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19679/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am fully committed to agri-environment schemes which both put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of society which have a role in supporting the farm incomes of participating farmers.

I am currently considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. The full year cost of any new scheme will arise on the 2013 Estimate for my Department and accordingly, the 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.