Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the time-frame in which he expects the EU Commission to make a decision on the changes to disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31527/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the changes announced to the 2012 Terms and Conditions of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is to achieve the required savings, prompted by the budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Scheme being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million. However, in order to make these savings, it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria, rather than simply apply an across-the-board cut, either by reducing the maximum payable area, or reducing the rates of aid payable, or by a combination of both.

Choosing to opt for the technical adjustments ensures 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.

By virtue of the Scheme being part of our 2007/2013 Rural Development Programme, it was necessary that the proposed changes to the Terms and Conditions of the 2012 Scheme be formally submitted to the EU Commission for their approval. This process initially involves informal contact at official level, following which a formal written submission is made. On receipt of the submission, the Commission invites the views of the various relevant EU Directorates, who each must assess the proposals insofar as their specific remits are concerned. My officials, in a recent bi-lateral meeting with their EU Commission counter-parts, again outlined, in detail, the logic underpinning the proposals. As agreed at that meeting, a further detailed submission (which had formed the basis of the bi-lateral discussions) was then forwarded to the Commission Services. It is expected that the Commission response will be forthcoming within the coming weeks.