Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 614: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has secured approval for the changes proposed in Budget 2012 to the disadvantaged area scheme; the changes that will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19837/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The changes to the rules governing the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, as outlined in the following paragraphs, have today been published by my Department. However, as these proposals have yet to be approved by the EU Commission, they may be subject to change.

Terms & Conditions booklets currently being prepared and will be issued in the coming days to each individual land owner whose farm is wholly or partially classified as Disadvantaged.

The proposed changes are as follows:

Requirement to have met a stocking density of 0.3 lu/ha in 2011

In the first instance, an applicant is required to have met a stocking density in 2011, for three consecutive months, of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare.

However, specific provision is being made for those farmers who had a stocking density less than 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, where that lower stocking density was as a result of adherence to lower stocking by agri-environmental measure, such as a Commonage Framework De-stocking Plans, Rural Environmental Protection Schemes (REPS) or Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).

All applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density.

The principles of force majeure/exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming. Minimum Stocking Density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare in 2012

While the minimum stocking density remains at 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare, the applicant must meet the minimum stocking requirement for six consecutive months during the scheme-year. In addition, the stocking density is calculated over the twelve months of the scheme-year.

Again, there will be a continued recognition of farmers, who will not meet the minimum stocking requirement due to the impact of agri-environment measures, including the NPWS Review, which has established stocking densities for all commonages, Rural Environmental Protection Schemes (REPS) and Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).

Differential Rate of Aid Where the applicant's main holding/residence is situated in a non-DAS area and where some of that applicant's land declared is non-Disadvantaged land, a digressive of aid will be payable, on the ratio of non-Disadvantaged/Disadvantaged lands farmed.

Inclusion of horses from equine breeding enterprises and donkeys

While horses will no longer be eligible for the stocking density calculation, equine breeding enterprises will continue to be eligible on the basis of the contribution they make to the local economy. Equine breeding enterprises are defined as follows: an applicant must, in the first instance, be an equine breeder and have bred a foal, from a mare registered as on the applicant's holding in 2011, in either 2009, 2010 or 2011, which was registered in a Stud Book approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with pedigree recorded (sire and dam).

Furthermore, the premises of all who meet this criteria must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in accordance with S.I. No. 8 of 2012, Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Registration of Horse Premises) Order 2012.

Where these criteria are met, the following equines will then be eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation for the 2012 Scheme:

· All equines aged one year to five years, (aged using 1 January), registered in the name of the applicant and maintained on his/her holding;

· Breeding mares, registered as having been on the applicant's holding in 2011, that have bred an appropriately registered foal in either 2009, 2010 or 2011.

Donkeys will be eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation where the animals in question are appropriately registered and in respect of which the relevant identification documentation has been issued, showing the animal(s) concerned as being in the ownership of the given applicant.

Distance from main holding

Where the applicant's main holding/residence is situated in a non-DAS area, land situated more than 80 kilometres from an applicant's main holding is not eligible under the 2012 Scheme.