Written answers
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
Agri-Environment Options Scheme
8:00 pm
Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 677: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make a statement on a matter (details supplied); his views on proposals by the Irish Farmers Association (details supplied) [35206/12]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My commitment to agri-environmental schemes are evident in the funding of €243m which has been provided to meet commitments under Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) in 2012. The commitment is also clear from the fact that despite serious budgetary pressures, I re-opened the AEOS to new entrants last year. Strict budgetary constraints remain in place and, as a result, the management of the limited resources represents a very challenging situation involving difficult choices.
I have received a number of representations regarding the re-opening of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) in 2012 including submissions from the Irish Farmers Association.
I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening AEOS to allow for the submission of applications this year either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale. I will make an announcement as soon as I have made my decision.
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