Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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539. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated number of farmers that will be in the REP scheme 4 and the agri environment option schemes 1,2 and 3 at 31 December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22543/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There are currently about 29,300 participants in REPS 4. A total of just under 12,300 of these will cease their participation in REPS 4 at 31 December 2013.

At 31 December 2013, there will approximately be 7,600 participants in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) and 6,150 applicants in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 11). In accordance with the terms and Conditions, participants in the schemes with ongoing contracts after 31 December 2013 will be offered the opportunity to adjust their commitments for the remainder of the contract period to the new legal framework that may be established for the 2014 to 2020 period. If such transition is not acceptable to the participant he/she may withdraw from the scheme without any requirement to repay aid already received.

I also expect that approximately 6,000 applications will shortly be approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS 111).