Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reverse the decision that will have serious implications for up to 10,000 farmers in respect of the qualifying criteria for the disadvantaged area scheme whereby a .15 stocking rate per hectare for three consecutive months was sufficient in 2011, he is now proposing to increase the 2011 stocking rate to .3 units per hectare to qualify for 2012 and 2013; if he will clarify to the matter at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28754/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million. 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.

Rather than simply apply an across the board cut to the rates payable or reduce the maximum payable area as a means to achieving these savings, I decided that real efforts should be made to focus the Scheme on those farmers who are most actively contributing to achieving the aims of the Scheme, namely, ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of viable rural communities, maintaining the countryside and maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which take account of environmental protection measures.

While changes are being introduced in respect of the minimum stocking density requirements, 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 a recognised agri-environmental Measure. Specifically, such applicants will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that participation in such an environmental Scheme 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.