Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will permit farmers to sell their stock before the minimum retention period for the disadvantaged area scheme in view of the difficulties they are facing in providing feed after the bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46000/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The objectives of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme are defined in the governing EU Regulations 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.

Farmers in disadvantaged areas face significant handicaps, with lower farm productivity and higher production costs. The payment of the aid provided for under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is designed to compensate farmers for farming in these agriculturally disadvantaged areas. Therefore, it is not an option that the minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare (or one ewe per hectare) and the retention period be waived.

However, I would remind the Deputy that, being particularly mindful on the very serious problems caused for farmers by the adverse weather, I successfully sought the agreement of the EU Commission to making advance payments under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme, with payments having started on 16 October, fully six weeks earlier than provided for under the governing EU Regulations. The combined value of payments issued to date under both Schemes is now in excess of €736.5 million, with payments under both Schemes continuing to issue on a twice-weekly basis, as individual cases are confirmed eligible.