Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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472. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who did not qualify in 2012 and 2013 due to not having the minimum stocking rate in 2011, will qualify in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15117/14]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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473. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who did not qualify in 2012 and 2013 for the disadvantaged areas scheme due to doubling the stocking rate in 2011, will qualify in 2014 if they have the required stocking rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15118/14]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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474. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if donkeys will qualify as part of the stocking rate in 2014 for the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15120/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 472 to 474, inclusive, together.

Under 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants' holdings are required to have met (a) a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per hectare in 2011 (equivalent to 2 ewes per hectare), or have been granted derogation and (b) achieve a minimum stocking density in 2014 of 0.15 livestock units for a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the 2014 Scheme year.

Donkeys will continue to be eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation where the animals in question are appropriately registered in the name of the applicant and maintained on his/her holding. The premises of all who meet this criteria must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in accordance with S.I. No. 8 of 2013, Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Registration of Horse Premises) Order 2013.