Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the deadline for completion of works under the TAMS sow welfare scheme to the end of December 2013 in view of the serious difficulties many farmers are facing in meeting the deadline of the end of September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39444/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the difficulties which the pig sector is facing and the potentially negative impact of the end September 2013 deadline for completion of work under the Sow Welfare Scheme. However, EU Commission approval is required for an extension to this deadline. I am in consultation with the EU Commission for an extension to this deadline. Such an extension, if approved, would, of course, not affect the entry into force of the new EU animal welfare rules with effect from 1 January 2013. It would merely enable applicants under the Scheme to continue to receive grant-aid for the completed investments on condition that the works are completed and a payment claim lodged with the Department by the revised deadline.