Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify that grazable lands will become the definition regarding acreage applicable to the single farm payment and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49397/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the EU regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme, only eligible agricultural land can be claimed upon for aid under the scheme. Agricultural land is defined as any area taken up by arable land, permanent pasture or permanent crops and which is used for an agricultural activity. In addition an applicant must ensure that agricultural land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition.

Farmers can keep grassland in good agricultural and environmental condition by conducting an agricultural activity on it such as grazing, harvesting forage crops, or by topping. Grasslands continue to be eligible where it is evident that the stocking rate used by the applicant on the land is sufficient and, for example, can keep rushes under control and avoid their proliferation. In such situations, the reality is that there may not be a necessity to cut rushes.

Where a farmer cuts rushes as part of management practice, with the exception of certain designated lands, there are no restrictions on when this is done. In terms of the conduct of inspections, my Department makes appropriate allowances for the effect of prevailing weather conditions in individual cases.