Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the current minimum stocking density requirements under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42082/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Eligible applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme must meet (a) a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per hectare in respect of 2011 (equivalent to 2 ewes per hectare) and (b) 0.15 livestock units per hectare in 2012.

In relation to the 2011 requirement, specific provision is has been 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) or National Parks and Wildlife Service farm plan scheme or, in the case of active farmers, marginal land. All applicants whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 were written to 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. A number of these applications have already been determined, while others are being processed as expeditiously as possible.

In relation to the 2012 requirement, in addition to maintaining 0.15 livestock units per forage acre for a minimum retention period of six consecutive months, applicants must also maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the 12 months of the scheme year. Copies of the full 2012 terms and conditions were posted to each scheme participant last May and are also posted on my Department’s website,